Public Administration Network UNPAN

Welcome to the United Nations Public Administration Network

UNPAN is a global network that connects relevant international, regional, subregional and national institutions and experts worldwide working on effective governance and public administration for sustainable development in line with Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNPAN Members

UNPAN is coordinated by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG). The Network is managed in close partnership with a group of international, regional and subregional institutions devoted to governance and public institutions for sustainable development.

Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership.

UNPAN Services

The UNPAN website provides access to a multitude of online services related to governance and public administration, including an e-Library, containing publications, policy notes, papers and other analytical tools shared by the UNPAN Members and Associate Members. It also offers online trainings, webinars, advisory services and discussion forums.

Public Institutions and the SDGs

Effective governance and public institutions play a critical role in the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. The Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) has developed a set of principles of effective governance for sustainable development, which were endorsed by the Economic and Social Council on 2 July 2018.

Featured Members

Advancing SMART Cities and Urban Digital Transformation to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

The future of sustainable development will be determined in part in urban areas. SMART cities promise to transform sustainable urban development. To strengthen the capacities of national policymakers and local authorities responsible for digital transformation and building SMART cities, a capacity building webinar will be held on 9 September 2021 from 8:00 to 10:30 am EDT via Zoom. Read more

World Public Sector Report 2021 Now Available

The World Public Sector Report 2021, entitled “National institutional arrangements for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: A five-year stocktaking”, is now available here. Based on in-depth examination of institutional arrangements for SDG implementation in a sample of 24 countries in all regions, the report aims to draw attention to the institutional dimension of SDG implementation and provide lessons for national policymakers in this regard. The report also takes stock of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on national institutions and their implications for delivering on the 2030 Agenda. Read more

New Blog on Making National Institutional Arrangements for Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals More Effective: a Work in Progress

Strong and effective institutions are paramount to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is well recognized in the Agenda itself. However, five years after the start of the implementation of the Agenda, governance issues remain at the forefront. The 2021 edition of the World Public Sector Report, published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), looks in detail at changes in national institutional arrangements for implementing the SDGs since 2015, and examines selected aspects of their effectiveness. Read more

Facilitated Online Capacity Development Training Workshop on Innovation, Digital Government and Public Service Delivery for Sustainable Development in the Central Asia Region

The workshop is organized by UN DESA/DPIDG on 3-5 August 2021, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zerde National Info communication Holding JSC, National Information Technologies JSC and other partners. The objective of the workshop is to promote innovation for public service delivery, including through the use of ICTs in the five countries of the Central Asia region. Read more

Release of the Report on Building Transparent, Accountable and Inclusive Institutions from the UNGASS 2021

We are pleased to announce the release of the Report on "Building Transparent, Accountable and Inclusive Institutions" from the Side Event at the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly against Corruption 2021. The Report is available in English and French. To read the report in [English] and in [French]. To know more about the event.

Peer-to-Peer Learning International Workshop on One-Door-Service Centers

The Virtual Workshop on One-Door-Service Centers aims to promote a learning journey of peers that would help improve ODSCs reforms in Lao PDR and strengthen the partnership among the workshop participating countries, leading to the development of a roadmap for integrated services in Lao PDR. Read more

Release of Report on Transparency, Accountability and Ethics in Public Institutions with a focus on Public Procurement in Kenya

We are pleased to announce the release of the Report on "Transparency, Accountability, and Ethics in Public Institutions with a focus on Public Procurement in Kenya" from the Kenya Online Training Workshop conducted on 24-25 March 2021. Access the report. To know more about the event and the toolkit.

Save the Date! VNR Lab on Governance and Policy Integration in the Context of COVID-19 (14 July)

UN DESA - DPIDG is organizing a VNR lab on the theme of "Governance and policy integration in the context of COVID19". The lab will take place on Wednesday, 14 July 2021, between 8am and 9 am (New York time) and be held virtually via Zoom.