Open data: what steps Ukraine needs to take to adapt the sector to European standards

Ukraine is steadily moving towards European integration, and among other vital topics, open data practices are on the agenda. Today, Ukraine is already second in Europe regarding the development and sustainability of the open data sector. However, there is currently a need to form a legislative system for this area and to take a number of measures to adapt the policy to European legislation.

It was discussed during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform on Ukrainian legislation compliance with the European open data policy

Thus, during the event, the participants noted that based on the results of the study on the Ukrainian and European legislation on open data, a roadmap has already been developed, containing clear steps necessary for the implementation of two major data management acts in the European Union in Ukraine.

“First of all, the Verkhovna Rada must approve amendments to the Law of Ukraine on Personal Data Protection to bring it closer to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation, the so-called GDPR. After that, it’ll be possible to implement the main provisions of the data governance act as the first thing to do. And the creation of an authorized body for the protection of personal data and access to public information, which will be responsible for the open data sector in Ukraine,” emphasized Mykhailo Korneev, Head of the Expert Group on Open Data of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The representative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation expressed hope that, among other things, the results of this study will result in a draft law on open data in Ukraine that will separate this area into a separate state policy.

“At the moment, we are focused on implementing the provisions of the data governance act and the regulation on the free movement of personal data into Ukrainian legislation, amending the law on public electronic registers, on access to public information, and personal data protection. And following the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 835, which undoubtedly describes how open data is treated in Ukraine,” he added.

Mykhailo Korneev recalled that in January this year, the European Commission approved a framework regulation on high-value datasets, and Ukraine, according to him, is not lagging behind its partners in this process. Thus, he expressed hope that by the end of the summer, Ukraine will also be able to present a list of high-value datasets and standards for publishing such datasets and enshrine it in Ukrainian legislation.

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