For three days, from June 3-5, 2024, Tirana hosted the 15th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC). This significant global event, aimed at promoting the culture of transparency and accountability of public authorities, was organized for the first time by the Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data in Albania. The central theme of this edition was "Empowering individuals through access to information, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in an interconnected world."

The proceedings of the Conference were greeted by the guest of honor, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama, who emphasized in his speech that "the right to information is not simply a democratic instrument, but a prerequisite for the health and development of functional democracies. To not be afraid of the light, but to embrace the light and to work much more closely with institutions like the Commissioner's Office and the Ombudsman, to ensure that everyone understands first from within the government that the exposure of information and using it to the fullest to bring everything to light is an exercise, a very healthy process, and a very effective tool against misinformation and disinformation."

At the opening ceremony, Adrain Alcala Mendez, President of the Board of Commissioners of INAI, Mexico, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of ICIC, remarked, "the evolution of Albania towards a more open, more democratic and representative society, is proof of the transformative power of access to information and transparency."

The attendees were also greeted through a video message by Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, who stated, "this Conference is an important evidence of Albania's sustainable commitment in terms of respecting the right to information, transparency, and inclusiveness in an increasingly globalized world that we are living in."

In his speech, Giuseppe Busia, President of the National Anti-Corruption Authority of Italy, emphasized that "participation in this Conference is an indicator of the joint commitment to examine the important role of access to information in the framework of transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability at the global level."

Darian Pavli, Albania judge at the European Court of Human Rights based in Strasbourg, also addressed the audience, noting that "the fact that the ICIC is held in Tirana testifies to the important progress that Albania has made, especially in the last decade, in guaranteeing the right to information and increasing the transparency of the public sector."

With the participation of over 200 representatives from ICIC member states/jurisdictions and observers from all continents, as well as international organizations such as the Council of Europe, UNESCO, the World Bank, and OECD, the conference featured extensive discussions over two days of Open Sessions. Participants from the academic world, civil society, and the media, both local and foreign, engaged in five main panels.

These panels addressed several critical issues:

Access for Vulnerable Groups: Discussions focused on how to ensure the right to information is accessible to vulnerable populations. This included identifying barriers and proposing solutions to make information more inclusive.

Regulatory Authorities, Civil Society, and Media Interaction: Another key topic was the interaction between regulatory authorities, civil society, and the media. Participants explored how these entities can collaborate to enhance the effectiveness of access to information and transparency.

Digital Environment and Open Data Initiatives: The conference featured a panel divided into two sections on the dynamics of the digital environment and initiatives for open data. This discussion emphasized the need to balance the progress in access to information with the protection of personal data rights.

UNESCO's Sustainable Development Objective Indicators: A dedicated panel discussed UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Objective Indicators, focusing on the adoption of relevant legislation worldwide. This panel highlighted the future goals of UNESCO in promoting innovative solutions to strengthen the right to information and transparency.

During the Closed Session, with the participation of representatives of the member/observer authorities, there was a report on the activity of the past 12 months of the regional networks and the respective working groups on the most important developments in this field. The Mexican authority was reconfirmed at the head of the organization's Executive Committee for the 2024-2027 term, while the institutions of Australia and Kenya are the newest members of this forum for the same period. The next two editions of the Conference are set to be held in Germany in 2025 and in Sierra Leone in 2026, in the spirit of respecting the principles of cooperation, diversity, and inclusiveness of the organization's membership. This International Conference serves as a central platform for addressing views, challenges, and opportunities to further strengthen standards in the practical exercise of the right to information. On the other hand, interaction and cooperation with partners outside the public sphere is important to foster a culture of transparency, for responsible and accountable institutions for a functional democratic society.