This report expands on framework developed by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia for fostering open government in the Arab region prepared in the context of project entitled “Fostering Institutional Development for Participatory Approaches towards the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Western Asia”.  The report is structured as a generic guideline for medium- to long-term strategies to cultivate open government through four phases: (1) openness for transparency; (2) participation; (3) collaboration; and (4) engagement. 

Based on a comprehensive examination of evidence and good practice, the four-phase strategy is structured around six strategic objectives, each with several building blocks which are explained in the report, as follows: Developing policy and strategy; Providing institutional frameworks; Setting up legal and regulatory frameworks; Upgrading government capacity; Rolling out technology features and channels; and Improving public capacity. The report also provides relevant technology enablers, checklists, illustrative case studies and guidance based on good practices from around the world and the Arab region and shows how these may be applied to a given phase.