I am delighted that New Zealand has the opportunity to host the 5th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Wellington, on 26-29 November 2007.

Legislation providing rights of access to official information is a subject which challenges the governing institutions of a rapidly increasing number of countries. In 2007 New Zealand will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Official Information Act and the conference will, amongst other things, provide an opportunity to see what can be learnt from this experience and taken forward into the next 25 years.  It is apparent that no matter how long-standing the rights of access are, new challenges always arise - from developments in technology to the evolution of governance arrangements and shifts in how public services are provided.  How Freedom of Information laws can assist the improvement of governance in less developed nations is now part of mainstream development policy and this issue will be a focus for another part of the conference.

While the annual conference for Information Commissioners and Ombudsmen from around the world is primarily a forum for those who regulate and enforce access to information laws, it also provides an opportunity for others with an international interest in freedom of information to meet and discuss issues relating to these laws.

Attendance at the conference will be by invitation only, and this website will soon provide more details of the conference programme, together with registration facilities for those invited to participate in what I am sure will be a stimulating and useful event.

I look forward to welcoming you to New Zealand for a productive and memorable conference.

Regards,

John Belgrave
Chief Ombudsman