In pivotal year, public servants must rise to the moment: UN chief

“We celebrate the dedication of public servants everywhere and salute their tireless efforts to provide efficient and inclusive services that are available to all,” stated Ban, marking the United Nations Public Service Day.

Reminding that 2015 is “a year for concerted global action”, he stressed a number of high-level events, such as the conference on financing for development in July in Addis-Abeba, the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in September in New York, and the Paris Conference on Climate Change in December.

“They can all help generate momentum for strengthening leadership in public services,” Ban underlined.

Against this background of transition, he continued, governments everywhere will need to adopt innovative and integrated approaches to promote policy change, institutional coordination, participatory decision-making, and effective, responsive, inclusive and accountable service delivery.

This year's United Nations Public Service Awards recognize that innovation and leadership contribute to better and more accountable services to local communities, including marginalized groups that are present at the commemoration of Public Service Day in Medellin, Colombia, where twenty-two public institutions will be recognized for their achievements.

“On this Public Service Day, I thank all public servants for their daily efforts to make a difference. I also call upon young people everywhere to consider dedicating themselves to the noble cause of public service as we strive to build a future of dignity of all,” the Secretary-General concluded.

Photo: UPU