Bermuda’s Information Commissioner is to join to the first executive committee for the International Conference of Information Commissioners.

Gitanjali Gutierrez was elected to the role after a vote last month and her three-year term will begin at the close of the ICIC’s annual conference, which will be held on June 23 and 24.

Ms Gutierrez said: “As an executive committee member, the Bermuda ICO and our officers will continue to benefit from valuable international relationships for sharing information, building capacity and deepening knowledge.

“In turn, these interactions enable the Bermuda ICO to continually strengthen our oversight and promotion of Pati rights for Bermudians and residents.”

She added: “Membership on this committee ensures that Bermuda’s ICO is at the international decision-making table with our colleagues.

“We have an opportunity to contribute our insights as a small, nimble oversight body in a smaller jurisdiction, ensuring that the ICIC’s work benefits Information Commissioners from a diversity of jurisdictions”.

The ICIC is the only permanent international network that connects member Information Commissioners to protect and promote access to public information as “a fundamental pillar to social, economic and democratic governance globally”.

The committee’s responsibilities include taking the lead in the implementation of the strategic priorities of conference resolutions, support for the host in developing the agenda and annual meeting, and encouraging members to promote international events.

Ms Gutierrez joined colleagues to adopt the ICIC charter in March 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

She has also served on the ICIC’s governance working group.