Transparency

Transparency is one of the Organization's five values, alongside integrity, scientific independence, cooperation and respect for communities of origin. It is put into practice through the regular publication of founding texts, decisions of the bodies and annual accounts.

It does not apply without limits. Personal data, confidential commercial information and the investigation files of heritage protection remain protected. Every refusal to disclose must be justified.

The first route is proactive publication: the Secretariat-General puts documents of general interest online without waiting to be asked. The second is the written access request, open to anyone. The third concerns purchasing: procurement notices are published so that companies can compete on equal terms.

These three routes are complementary. An access request may thus concern a document that proactive publication has not yet covered.

Any person, natural or legal, whatever their nationality, may request access to a document held by the Organization. No justification is required. Member States also have restricted documents in the member area.

Journalists, researchers, companies and associations are the main requesters. The Secretariat-General endeavors to reply in the language of the request when it is French, English or Spanish.

The publication of the accounts is accompanied by certification by an external auditor and an annual internal audit, described in the audit section. These checks ensure that the published information reflects reality.

The results are presented to the Finance and Audit Committee, then to the General Assembly, which approves them in session.

When a request is refused, the requester receives a written reply stating the reason and the means of appeal. They may refer the matter to the Arbitration and Ethics Committee, which examines whether the refusal was justified under the Organization's rules.

The time limits, grounds for refusal and appeals are described on the page devoted to access to information.