The South African flag flew high at the recently concluded United Nations (UN) Public Service Forum and Awards Ceremony, which took place from 24 to 26 June in Incheon, South Korea.

Under the theme “Fostering Innovation Amid Global Challenges: A Public Sector Perspective,” the 2024 Public Service Forum focused on ideas for fostering innovation and transformation in the public sector. The goal was to enhance public administrations’ current and future capabilities so they are prepared to be more adaptive, anticipatory, agile, inclusive, and responsive to meeting development objectives amid complex global challenges.

Bringing together Ministers, public sector executives, government officials, civil society, and the private sector, the programme included Opening Remarks by South Korea’s Minister of Interior and Safety, Mr Lee Sang-min, and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr Li Junhua. The President of South Korea, Mr Yoon Suk Yeol, delivered a congratulatory message, and the 8th Secretary-General of the UN,  Mr Ban Ki-moon, also gave a keynote address.

The Forum’s engagements covered diverse topics, including “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Governance,” “Revitalizing Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” and specific themes, in a series of parallel workshops over the three days.

DPSA-led policy interventions shared at UN Forum

The team from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) was represented by Mr Nyiko Mabunda, Acting Deputy Director-General of Human Resources Management and Development, and Ms Gcino Mlaba, Director of African Peer Review Mechanism’s South African National Secretariat.

As a panellist in the workshop on “Gender-inclusive Leadership and Public Sector Innovation: Empowering Women Leaders for Future-ready Public Administration,” Mr Mabunda presented on South Africa’s progress in preparation for the rollout of the Gender Equality SEAL, highlighting the DPSA’s launch of SA’s Gender SEAL with the UNDP country office. He also had a series of bilateral engagements with Salimatta Touray, Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service in Uganda; Mr Kenneth Sim, Managing Director (Strategy and Research) at the Chandler Institute of Governance; Ms Ana Ugarte, UNDP Gender Equality Seal Global Manager; Ms Valentina Resta, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer. The discussions focused on the public sector reforms currently being led by the DPSA to drive professionalisation and capacity building so that the DPSA can be mission-ready in its mandate.

Ms. Mlaba contributed to the workshop on “Young Public Servants: Engaging Young People for a More Innovative, effective, and Future-ready Public Service.” Her presentation highlighted the legislative, policy, social, and administrative barriers faced by young public servants and the strategies and opportunities to address them led by the DPSA, such as the amended Directive on HRM&D, which encourages a policy review and flexibility for minimum entry requirements into Senior Management Service (SMS), mobility within the SMS, and waiving of experience for entry-level posts in the public service, among others.

Her input also highlighted the critical role played by the DPSA’s visionary and deliberate leadership to foster transformation and innovation in support of young officials through Coaching and Structured Mentorship Programmes, such as:

  • The Emerging Leaders in the Public Service Programme (ELIPS) to build the next generation of leaders and managers;
  • Investments to transform HR into a more Strategic HR role; and
  • Investments in training, technology and innovation to enhance the modern work experience while maintaining productivity and effectiveness.

Ms Mlaba further highlighted the role of the AAPAM Young Professionals Network as a platform for young public servants across the continent to network, share experiences, and partake in initiatives to enhance management and leadership potential for the future.

SA wins Innovation Award and shares insights on Systems Thinking

Through the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), Mr Pierre Schoonraad, SA, also contributed to the “Changing Mindsets: Cultivating Systems Thinking” workshop. Foresight and Innovation in Public Sector Leadership.” During the Awards Ceremony, the Western Cape Government won the Innovation in Public Institutions Award for its project “Citizen-centred Digital Transformation.” The Award is a prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. UNDESA and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea co-organised the 2024 UN Public Service Forum and Awards Ceremony.

Uzbekistan will host the UN Public Service Forum 2025.