30th Anniversary – Plenary Session Three - Advancing Ethical Governance: Strengthening Integrity and the Principles of Good Administration

30th Anniversary – Plenary Session Three - Advancing Ethical Governance: Strengthening Integrity and the Principles of Good Administration

Published October 16, 2025

The second day of the International Ombudsman Conference continued the rich exchange of ideas commemorating thirty years since the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta.
Under the overarching theme “Upholding Good Governance in Challenging Times: The Role of the Ombudsman,” the day focused on two interrelated subjects: the promotion of ethical governance and the strengthening of integrity and good administration within public institutions.

Ethical governance lies at the heart of public trust. Without integrity, transparency, and accountability, democratic institutions risk losing legitimacy and credibility. Ombudsman institutions play a pivotal role in upholding these principles, investigating maladministration, uncovering systemic failures, and promoting a culture of fairness and responsibility across public administration.

Moderated by Kurt Sansone, Executive Editor of MaltaToday, this plenary explored how Ombudsman institutions can work collaboratively with other accountability bodies to strengthen ethical conduct and reinforce the rule of law.

Speakers reflected on the Ombudsman’s unique capacity to bridge the gap between law and morality ensuring that public power is exercised in the interests of the common good.

Maria Stylianou-Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman), Cyprus

Maria Stylianou-Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Cyprus, emphasised that ethical governance must remain resilient in times of crisis, whether political, economic, or humanitarian.

She underlined the proactive role of Ombudsmen in ensuring transparency and accountability, stressing that their mandate extends far beyond individual complaints to include systemic monitoring, public advocacy, and reform.

Through practical examples, Ms Stylianou-Lottides illustrated how independent oversight can lead to tangible improvements in administrative efficiency and fairness. Upholding the principles of legality, impartiality, and participation, she argued, allows Ombudsman institutions to restore public trust and reinforce democratic values, particularly when those values come under strain.

Charles Deguara, Auditor General of Malta

Charles Deguara, Auditor General of Malta reflected on the deep interconnection between ethical governance, transparency, and public trust.

He noted that in a democratic society, citizens, media, and civil society must be able to scrutinise public institutions, a process that depends on integrity and openness at every level of governance.

Citing Professor Edward Warrington, he warned that the loss of trust in politics and public officials is one of the greatest threats to modern democracy. To counter this, he called for governance “guided by values, not just rules,” and highlighted the vital role of oversight institutions such as the National Audit Office and the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Mr Deguara also explained how innovations such as performance and IT audits have expanded the NAO’s impact beyond financial control, enhancing transparency and ensuring that value for money and accountability remain at the core of Malta’s public service.

Maija Sakslin, Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland

Maija Sakslin, Deputy Ombudsman of Finland spoke about the right to good administration as a fundamental human right, enshrined in Finland’s Constitution and central to the Ombudsman’s mandate.

She explained how, over the past three decades, the Finnish Ombudsman has played a constructive role in shaping the practical application of this right, ensuring that every person’s case is handled lawfully, promptly, and fairly.

She outlined how the Ombudsman’s practice helped develop detailed legislation on good administration, setting concrete obligations for public authorities to act transparently, give reasons for decisions, and respect due process.

Her intervention highlighted how the Ombudsman strengthens legality, legitimacy, and trust in public administration, while preventing misuse of power.

Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan, discussed the role of Ombudsman institutions in promoting ethical governance within the context of globalisation and technological change.

She underlined that transparency, honesty, and responsibility are the cornerstones of public service and that ethical conduct must extend beyond compliance—it must become a mindset within governance.

She explained that her Office regularly issues recommendations on ethical standards and social protection, reflected in annual reports and legislative consultations.

Ms Aliyeva also called attention to new ethical priorities, including digital rights, environmental sustainability, and youth participation, emphasising that cooperation among Ombudsman institutions will be key to promoting public trust in an era of rapid transformation.

Vit Alexander Schorm, Deputy Ombudsman of the Czech Republic

Vit Schorm presented the Czech experience in promoting the Principles of Good Administration developed by the Public Defender of Rights in 2006.

These Ten Principles, covering transparency, timeliness, fairness, and accessibility, have become a cornerstone of public ethics and administrative predictability in the Czech Republic.

He explained that while Czech law requires good administration, it was the Ombudsman’s own interpretation and promotion of these principles that gave the concept substance.

Thanks to this initiative, clarity and accountability in administrative communication have improved, with elements such as clear instructions and citizen-friendly explanations now embedded in civil service evaluations.

He also announced that the Ombudsman’s Office is now revising these principles to address new challenges, including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and environmental responsibility, ensuring that good administration evolves with society’s needs.

Conclusion: Ethical governance as the bedrock of trust

The second day of the conference reaffirmed that good governance cannot exist without integrity. Ethical conduct in public administration ensures not only legality but fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Speakers converged on a shared message: Ombudsman institutions are central to advancing ethical governance. Through their investigations, recommendations, and advocacy, they push administrations to uphold not only the letter of the law but also the spirit of justice and public service.

As the discussions concluded, participants agreed that collaboration among oversight institutions—Auditors, Human Rights Bodies, and Ombudsmen—remains essential for strengthening democratic resilience.
Integrity, they observed, is not merely a principle of governance but a commitment to the people, a moral compass that must guide every decision in the exercise of public power.