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United Nations Public Service Day aims to celebrate the value and virtues of public service to the community; highlight its contribution to the development process; recognize the work of public servants and encourage youth to pursue careers in the public sector. Since the first awards ceremony in 2003, the United Nations has received an increasing number of submissions from all over the world.
n” “nThe United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. Through an annual competition, the United Nations Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism, and visibility of public administration.
n” “nOrigin
n” “nOn December 20, 2002, the General Assembly designated June 23 as United Nations Public Service Day, through resolution 57/277.
n” “nTo promote the Day and the value of public services, the UN established the UN Public Service Awards program in 2003, which was revised in 2016 to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The United Nations Public Service Forum is a global event focused on capacity building in public governance. Each year, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes this forum with a host country. Capacity-building workshops, a UN Public Service Awards ceremony, and a ministerial roundtable are organized.
n” “nPublic institutions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals
n” “nEffective, accountable and inclusive institutions are essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is reflected in Goal 16 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda also establishes that governments have the primary responsibility for implementing these goals and ensuring follow-up and review over the next 15 years, at the national, regional and global levels. One of the first steps governments take to implement the Agenda is to shape institutional arrangements to lead the implementation of the SDGs and review progress.
n” “nPublic administration, the cornerstone of government work, plays an essential and critical role in improving people’s lives. Reinventing public administration is a positive and necessary way to move forward. Without its modernization and transformation to adapt to today’s needs, it will be impossible to achieve a better future for all. When competent administrations are lacking, governments are unable to act, which hinders sustainable development.
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