Mr. Wu Hongbo Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Secretary-General for the International Conference on Small Island Developing States
Closing Remarks United Nations Public Service Day and Awards Ceremony
27 June 2013, Bahrain
Your Excellency, Mr. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transport of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Your Excellencies, Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to have taken part in this 11th United Nations Public Service Day, Awards Ceremony and Forum. The Public Service Day, Awards Ceremony and Forum.
During this event participants have encouraged governments from around the world to promote e-government and the use of online public services in order to reduce corruption, increase transparency and to make governments more cost-effective, efficient and participatory. Expectations of citizens around the world are increasingly high and in order to meet these expectations, governments need to listen to people better and to use innovative means to deliver, including through e-services.
A culture of innovation from the leadership is essential in cultivating e-government, online services, transparency and participation and transforming these into practical programmes that will result in sustainable development and a better future for all.
A clear message from this event is that sharing of best practices and transfer of knowledge are an effective method of promoting innovation in governance around the world.
UNDESA stands ready to promote transfer of knowledge through peer-to-peer learning and to support innovation in public governance by collecting and disseminating good practices in this area by organizing global gatherings such as this one in the future.
I hope that as you will leave this event and go back to your countries you will reflect on the insightful discussions of the past days on how to promote transformative government and innovation and share your experiences with the public servants in your country thus creating a positive snowball effect of change.
I trust that this event will not be a one-time exercise but the beginning of transformation to make governments work better for the people and to serve their needs. This is how we can create a better future for all.
I would like to express my thanks to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting this important event and for all the Ministers here today for their active participation.
Thank you very much.
