International Access to Information Day 2025

On 28 September every year we celebrate International Access to Information Day (IAID). In 2025, UNESCO appointed the theme: ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age’.

IAID raises awareness of every individual’s right of access to government-held information; and the public sector’s responsibility to release information if it’s in the public interest to do so.

Proactively releasing information helps create a foundation for accountable and transparent government, and it encourages public participation in civil society.

“Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age”, focuses on the vital importance of timely, comprehensive, and cross-border access to environmental information in an increasingly digital world. Environmental data, encompassing climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and disaster risks, transcends national borders, necessitating collaborative, transparent, and innovative global sharing of information. This theme also highlights how digital technologies and open data platforms can enhance public access, foster transparency, and empower citizens and stakeholders to participate meaningfully in environmental governance and sustainable development.

IAID is also a timely reminder for public sector agencies to review and improve how they proactively release information to the community, to help foster greater trust and transparency. This is consistent with Queensland’s Right to Information Act 2009.

Solomon Lecture 2025 (25 September 2025)

Sheree Marris, marine biologist, award-winning science communicator, and adjunct at James Cook University delivered the Solomon Lecture. Sheree’s keynote ‘Reef of Truth: What Coral Can Teach Us About Power, Access and Action’ explored the vital role of environmental information in shaping resilient ecosystems and informed societies. Using coral reefs as a powerful metaphor for connection, collaboration and fragility, she highlighted how access to trusted, timely data can save not only species, but public trust.