By Windsor Genova

 

Manila, Philippines

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III left for the U.S. to join the launching of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in New York City.

The OGP is a global effort to make governments efficient and responsive to citizens by fighting corruption and promoting transparency.

Aquino was invited to the launch by US President Barrack Obama and Brazil President Dilma Rousseff, who co-chair the initiative's steering committee. The Philippines and Indonesia are the only Asian countries that are also part of the committee.

Aquino will speak before a forum related to the OGP. He was the only head of state attending the said forum.

The Philippines joined the OGP to signify the Aquino administration's commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, according to Philippine Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, who represents the Philippines in the OGP Steering Committee also composed of Mexico, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Aside from the OGP forum, Aquino will keynote the IBM Centennial Forum that marks the IT company's centennial anniversary. Some 700 leaders from government, business, the academe and science from various countries will attend the forum.

 

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Aquino Off to U.S. for Open Government Partnership Launch | Global Viewpoint