OpenGov is an enhanced, open-source evolution of UNCTAD's eRegistrations platform, reimagined for the AI era as a modular ecosystem of four independent tools.
Each tool organizes a key function: defining rules, connecting public registries, handling applications and processing approvals, and can be used independently or as part of a complete digital workflow. Built on a "configure, don't-code" philosophy, OpenGov enables governments to reduce administrative burdens and adapt quickly to technological change.
OpenGov supports global priorities such as the G20 2026 agenda on alleviating regulatory burdens and advancing digital innovation. It gives governments the conceptual and practical foundations to shift from procedural compliance to substantive, AI‑ready governance.
Four tools, one ecosystem
SmartRules
SmartRules enables agencies to define registration requirements and publish them as standard APIs, without programming. Through a visual interface, policy officers can specify what data is required, how it must be proven, which values are acceptable, and how compliance is verified.
The result is a single, authoritative source of truth that any system can use. By requiring precision, SmartRules exposes redundancies and naturally leads to simplification.
SmartLink
SmartLink is the interoperability layer of OpenGov, allowing disparate systems to connect through a standard, configurable gateway. Instead of building custom code for each integration, administrators configure connections to any API, legacy databases, or other agency system through a visual interface.
SmartLink handles secure access, data translation, and protocol adaptation behind the scenes, simplifying architecture and enabling real‑time data reuse across public agencies.
eRnext
eRnext is OpenGov's user‑facing portal. An AI assistant reads the rules published in SmartRules, generates dynamic forms, and explains requirements in plain language. It also applies the proof and validation rules defined in SmartRules. If a requirement states that an applicant must be over 18 but passport data shows the applicant is younger, the system will not allow the submission to proceed.
The assistant combines overlapping questions from different agencies and manages multi‑agency submissions. Data and documents provided by the applicant are stored in a private repository for reuse in future applications. As this repository grows, most applications can be reduced to a simple review‑and‑submit process.
eApproval
eApproval gives each reviewer access to only the information under their mandate, together with the exact criteria they should apply. AI flags items that need attention.
The final decision rests with humans, but the process is faster, more consistent, and fully auditable.
How the tools work together
An agency publishes rules via SmartRules.
An applicant visits eRnext, which reads the rules, builds a dynamic form, collects any missing information from the applicant, reuses data already stored in the applicant's private repository, and validates it against the agency's formal and substantial conditions. Once submitted, the application data is recorded in the relevant registry, either directly with a pending status or through a temporary registry.
eApproval then orchestrates the review process. It doesn't move the data, but gives each reviewer access to the relevant information in the method and sequence defined in SmartRules, within the same repository. Each agency reviews only the data within its mandate. Agencies can communicate with one another and with the applicant during the process. Once approved, certificates can be issued automatically by eApproval or by the registry.
Throughout the process, SmartLink connects all components through a secure interoperability layer, enabling data exchange across systems.
Designed for the AI era
OpenGov is designed for a public administration model in which AI can reliably apply clearly defined rules. This shifts the focus from manual, procedural checks to automated, substantive compliance, allowing agencies to focus on policy outcomes and service quality.
The "configure, don't code" approach ensures that governments can adapt quickly as AI evolves, without relying on scarce developer resources. OpenGov turns AI from a distant prospect into a practical tool for daily governance.
A proven, open model
OpenGov builds on two decades of UNCTAD experience and is designed for the long‑term. All tools are open‑source, released under permissive licenses, so governments can use, adapt, and extend them without vendor lock‑in.
Refined through practical use and shared experience rather than imposed in the abstract, the core specifications are designed to evolve into United Nations standards. They are open foundations: any government, company, or developer can build new tools on their basis, or reuse and adapt the OpenGov tools themselves.
This model aligns with the G20's call for regulatory simplification and innovation, providing a concrete path from policy commitment to operational reality.
Current status
OpenGov builds on UNCTAD's eRegistrations platform, already operational in over 60 countries. All components will be released as open source by the end of 2026. They are currently in the design phase, with pilots underway in a few countries.
In summary
OpenGov represents a new generation of digital government: modular, AI‑ready, and user‑centric. It gives governments the means to publish clear registrations rules, connect siloed data, guide applicants, and conduct accountable reviews.
Through open standards and open tools, it offers governments and private actors the freedom to use, adapt, and extend OpenGov's tools, or build new ones on the same core specifications. OpenGov makes regulatory simplification operational and provides a practical foundation for digital government in the AI era.