KOROR, Palau — Palau celebrated the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) for the first time yesterday, highlighting the essential role access to information plays in advancing human rights, development, and democracy.
Although the official date for IDUAI is September 28, the celebration was postponed due to the busy schedule leading up to Palau’s Independence Day on October 1.
The event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and a Q&A session, focusing on this year’s theme, “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.” Panelists explored the need for accessible, timely, and relevant information from public agencies, addressing concerns that, despite laws ensuring information accessibility in Palau, the information isn’t always readily available or easy to use.
Panelists, including Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau-Senior, Island Times Editor Leilani Reklai, and Ms. Decherong from the Ministry of State’s Division of Foreign Affairs, shared insights on how information can be accessed and utilized effectively.
The event also gathered actionable recommendations to improve accessibility, emphasizing the importance of making information searchable, inclusive, and shareable across government agencies, NGOs, and with the public, including people with disabilities.