International Day for Universal Access to Information 2026 Observed on 28 September
The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was observed worldwide on 28 September 2026 to highlight public rights to access and share information. The 2026 theme focuses on upholding information integrity and combating digital information disorder, with the global conference hosted in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
What happened
The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was observed globally on 28 September 2026. The observance promotes public rights to access, gather, and share information, reinforcing its crucial role in fostering democratic transparency, media freedom, and accountable public institutions.
For 2026, the official theme is 'Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder'. Co-organized by UNESCO and the Government of Sierra Leone, the 2026 Global Conference took place from 28 to 30 September at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The gathering was held back-to-back with the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC 2026).
In related literary developments, the book titled 'The Prime Minister’s Table: Delicacies & Diplomacies from the Era of Nehru to Modi', authored by senior journalists Purabi Shridhar and Sanghita Singh, was released in September 2026. Published by Amaryllis (an imprint of Manjul Publishing House) in collaboration with The Park Hotels, the book explores the culinary traditions, private lives, and food diplomacy of Indian prime ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru through Narendra Modi.
Important dates
| First UNESCO Proclamation (Resolution 38 C/57) | November 2015 |
|---|---|
| First Official Observance by UNESCO | 28 September 2016 |
| UN General Assembly Formal Adoption | 15 October 2019 |
| Global IDUAI 2026 Observance and Conference in Sierra Leone | 28 September 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- SDG Target 16.10.2 measures global progress on legal guarantees for public access to information, with UNESCO serving as the custodian agency.
- The UNESCO General Conference adopted Resolution 38 C/57 in November 2015, establishing 28 September as the date for this observance.
- The United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the day on 15 October 2019 at its 74th Session.
What candidates should do
- Memorize the exact 2026 theme and the associated SDG indicator (SDG 16.10.2) as these are frequently tested in Banking and UPSC examinations.
- Note the title and authors of 'The Prime Minister’s Table' for the Books and Authors section of upcoming SSC and Banking exams.
PrepZen analysis
Questions on international observances in exams like IBPS, SBI, SSC CGL, and State PSCs regularly move beyond merely asking the date. Examiners increasingly focus on specific themes, host cities of global conferences, and associated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators.
For UPSC and State PSC exams, the institutional aspect—UNESCO's role as the custodian agency for SDG 16.10.2 and the resolution history across UNESCO and the UNGA—forms high-yield static GK. Simultaneously, prominent newly released books and their authors remain a staple of competitive exam general awareness papers.
Practice questions
Q1. The International Day for Universal Access to Information is observed annually across the world on which date?
Q2. UNESCO acts as the UN custodian agency for tracking progress on which Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator related to public access to information?
Q3. Who are the authors of the book 'The Prime Minister’s Table: Delicacies & Diplomacies from the Era of Nehru to Modi'?
Theme 2026 focuses on information integrity and tackling digital information disorder.
The day underpins democratic transparency, media freedom, and accountable public institutions.
Related literature: 'The Prime Minister’s Table' authored by Purabi Shridhar and Sanghita Singh.
🎯 Key Point: 28 September – International Day for Universal Access to Information.
FAQs
When was the International Day for Universal Access to Information formally designated by the UN General Assembly?
The UN General Assembly formally designated 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information on 15 October 2019 during its 74th Session.
What is the theme for the International Day for Universal Access to Information in 2026?
The theme for 2026 is 'Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to Information in addressing Information Disorder'.
Where was the global conference for IDUAI 2026 hosted?
The 2026 Global Conference was held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone, co-organized by UNESCO and the Government of Sierra Leone.
What is the subject of the book 'The Prime Minister’s Table'?
The book examines the culinary habits, food diplomacy, and kitchen traditions of Indian prime ministers spanning from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi.
Official sources
- un.org (www.un.org) Official
- wikipedia.org (en.wikipedia.org)
- internationaldays.org (www.internationaldays.org)
- jurist.org (www.jurist.org)
Prepared by the PrepZen Editorial Team from official releases and verified reports, for exam preparation. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 28 September 2026
Q1. Who has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)?
Q2. Which bank has appointed actor R. Madhavan as its brand ambassador alongside launching the 'Nothing Small About Us' campaign?
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding India's first LNG-powered train: 1. It was flagged off from Sabarmati Railway Station in Gujarat. 2. The train runs exclusively on LNG fuel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q4. Where is the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) being held?
Q5. Which mountaineering institute's team summited 20 unclimbed peaks above 6,000 meters in Ladakh in just 23 days?
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