The Journal for Public Sector Economics is calling for papers for the thematic issue on "Challenges of effective governance for sustainable development at subnational government levels". The editors welcome theoretical, empirical and policy-oriented contributions analyzing the challenges and policy options faced by subnational governments committed to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some key issues to be addressed include: How have subnational governments in countries around the world changed and adapted? What policy and implementation challenges have they faced? Which measures have they implemented? How? What are the policy implications and lessons learned? The manuscript deadline is 15 February 2022. More information is available here.

UN DESA, through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) with support from its Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), and in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), are organizing a capacity development webinar to launch the Curriculum on Governance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia-Pacific region. The Curriculum, developed by UN DESA, will be launched through regional events in cooperation with the regional commissions, the UN Resident Coordinator system, and relevant partners. The Webinar will be held on 24 January 2022 at 10:00 PM EST. More information is available here.

The Ateneo School of Government, through the Ateneo Policy Center, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), will be hosting an online roundtable discussion titled “Recalibrating Inclusive Health and Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia: From Zero-COVID-19 to Living with COVID-19”, to be held on January 19, 2022 (Wednesday), from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM via Zoom. For more information, click on the photo or title.

UN DESA/DPIDG, the Resident Coordinators Offices and the African Peer Review Mechanism, will hold the third and last webinar of a series of webinars on how to promote resilience and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa through sound policymaking. The webinar aims to share knowledge on the strategies and guidance notes on the 11 Principles on Effective Governance for the Implementation of the SDGs. The Webinar is also aimed at increasing understanding of how to utilize the strategies for COVID-19 response measures, linking participants through peer-to-peer learning and assisting African countries in identifying concrete activities and capacity building initiatives that can be undertaken by the UN. The webinar will be held virtually using the zoom platform on Monday, 17 January 2022 from 8-10 am (Eastern Standard Time) / 3-5pm (South Africa Standard time). More information and registration links for the webinar are available at: https://publicadministration.un.org/en/news-and-events/calendar/ModuleID/1146/ItemID/3108/mctl/EventDetails

New Policy Briefs contributed by UN DESA/DPIDG are now available in the UN DESA Policy Brief series. For more information, kindly click on the photo/title.

The United Nations Public Service Awards Ceremony 2021 is being organized by UN DESA/DPIDG and hosted by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. The winning initiatives from the 2020 and 20201 editions of the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme, which highlights excellence in public service delivery to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will be recognized. The Awards Ceremony is held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on 13 December 2021 from 9-11 AM (GMT+4), 12:00 (mid night) – 2 AM EST. You can follow it live at UN WebTV. More information is available here.

Virtual capacity development training workshop on how to promote resilience and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa through sound policymaking, which UN DESA is organizing in collaboration with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and with the support of Resident Coordinators Offices.  This workshop aims at developing the capacities of national governments to promote sound policymaking, with a particular focus on strategic planning and foresight.  It will be held virtually using the zoom platform respectively on 8 December 2021 from 8-10am (Eastern Standard Time) / 3-5pm (South Africa Standard time).  For more information, click on the photo/title or here.

The United Nations is now accepting nominations for the 2022 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA).  The UNPSA promotes and rewards innovation and excellence in public services in support of the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principle of leaving no one behind. Read more.