A new draft of a proposed model freedom of information law for Africa has been released in preparation for a September conference at which final consideration will take place.

The African Platform on Access to Information Working Group finalized the second draft of its declaration, according to an announcement on the newly launched Pan-African Conference on Access to Information (PACAI) website.

“The development of the Declaration is part of an intercontinental initiative to promote access to Information across Africa — 20 years after the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press,” explains the announcement.

“The APAIA declaration is intended to elaborate on the right of access to information on the continent, and to set out minimum standards for access to information at a national level.”

The final declaration will be presented to over 150 delegates at the PACAI in Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 17-19.

In addition to laying out 15 FOI principles in an “African Platform on Access to Information,” the draft suggests action for government entities, civil society and the private sector