# Right to Information in Asia Pacific: How 11 Countries Perform on SDG 16.10 URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/right-to-information-in-asia-pacific Type: Publication or report Published: 2018-09-27 Updated: 2020-06-01 --- 27 September 2018 Freedom of information is not only a human right, but also an essential tool to engage and empower citizens to demand accountability from governments and fight corruption. Globally, around 120 countries have a right to information act. This indicates that the majority of countries consider it important to spell out in detail how this right is exercised and to set obligations for public authorities to promote, protect and implement it in practice. Right to information has for years been identified as a key area of work for Transparency International chapters in the Asia Pacific region. Chapters have played and continue to play a crucial role in advocating for right to information laws that are in line with international standards, fully applied in practice, and used by citizens to hold government accountable. This regional report serves as a reference document, providing a broad overview of why right to information matters, where it stands in a range of countries in the region and what our key recommendations are. This is Transparency International’s first report for the Asia Pacific region on right to information. In this report, we look into the right to information laws and practice in 11 countries in the Asia Pacific region: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Vietnam. ### Related publications ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Breaking the Silos: A Practical Guide to Fighting Corruption with a Human Rights-Based Approach](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/breaking-the-silos-a-practical-guide-to-fighting-corruption-with-a-human-rights-based-approach) Publication • 25 June 2026 This guide seeks to equip human rights defenders and anti-corruption advocates with practical tools to promote accountability for corrupt acts. ## [Connecting the Dots: How financial intelligence units expose corrupt money flows and how they could do more](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/connecting-the-dots) Publication • 24 June 2026 Financial intelligence units can play a key role in uncovering corruption, but only if they have the powers, resources and access to information they need. ## [Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/whistleblowing-authorities-in-europe-roles-challenges-and-lessons-learned) Publication • 19 June 2026 This report examines the institutional design, mandates and functioning of national whistleblowing authorities across Europe. ## Priorities - [Right to information](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/right-to-information) - [Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/sustainable-development-goals) ## Countries - [Bangladesh](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/bangladesh) - [Cambodia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/cambodia) - [Maldives](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/maldives) - [Mongolia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/mongolia) - [Nepal](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/nepal) - [Pakistan](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/pakistan) - [Papua New Guinea](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/papua-new-guinea) - [Solomon Islands](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/solomon-islands) - [Sri Lanka](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/sri-lanka) - [Vanuatu](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/vanuatu) - [Vietnam](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/vietnam) ## Projects - [Accountability in Asia Pacific](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/accountability-in-asia-pacific) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2018_Report_RTIinAsiaPacific_English_116.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2018_Report_RTIinAsiaPacific_English.pdf)