UN Public Service Forum

The United Nations Public Service Forum is a unique capacity development global event on public governance that provides a platform to explore, discuss and learn about: (i) emerging challenges, issues and trends in public governance; (ii) innovative practices to address these challenges; and (iii) capacity development strategies, approaches and tools in support of sustainable development.


Every year the Forum focuses on a specific critical area of public governance and explores its different dimensions and components in a holistic way. The Forum brings together world leaders, policy-makers, practitioners, innovators in governance, representatives of international and regional organizations, the academia, non-profit organizations and the private sector.
The Forum is uniquely positioned to benefit from the first-class innovative practices of the winners of the prestigious United Nations Public Service Awards who are recognized during the Forum, which also coincides with United Nations Public Service Day and Africa Public Service Day.


United Nations Public Service Day and Awards


The General Assembly, by its resolution A/RES/57/277, designated 23 June as the United Nations Public Service Day to "celebrate the value and virtue of service to the community". The UN Public Service Day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants and encourage young people 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 around the world.


The  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 UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service.