Excellencies,Ladies and gentlemen,Dear colleagues,
Having just witnessed outstanding examples of public service initiatives from across the world, it is with great pleasure to present the World Public Sector Report 2019, a publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
There could not be a more fitting occasion to launch this report than at this 缅北禁地Public Service Forum. Since 2001, the World Public Sector Report has shared trends, good practices and lessons learned in public administration; and this forum is dedicated to excellence in public service.
Over the years, the report has benefited tremendously from examples presented at the Forum by United Nations Public Service Award winning initiatives. This year’s report is unique in that it assesses progress on institutional dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as spelled out in Goal 16.
Specifically, the report looks at global trends in transparency and access to information, accountability, anti-corruption, participation and non-discrimination. It also takes stock of what we know about the effectiveness, outcomes and impacts of initiatives that seek to address them. This is illustrated with examples from different SDG areas, including a dedicated chapter on institutions for gender equality.
Let me take this occasion to thank our colleagues from 缅北禁地Women, who collaborated with us on that chapter.
I would like to illustrate some of the trends covered in the report.
Starting with transparency:
? In 2017, 118 countries had adopted a law or policy on the right to information. And 90 countries had the right to information explicitly mentioned in their national constitutions.? As of 2018, 139 countries had implemented open government data (OGD) initiatives that make data available to the public through central portals, as compared with only 46 in 2014.? Most governments now offer information and transactional services online, including e-procurement tools, with a rapid progression in the diffusion of such tools during the past few years.
On participation:
? The past few decades have witnessed the development of participatory mechanisms. For example, the trends show an increase in countries that use e-consultation over time. Trends also show that governments often acknowledge how e-consultations have informed decision-making.
On accountability:
? The effectiveness of oversight exercised by parliaments and supreme audit institutions varies across countries. Lack of resources and staff to conduct independent analysis; and information gaps between governments and parliaments, are key challenges.? The lack of independence of supreme audit institutions remains a concern in many countries, as do capacity issues.
Regarding accountability in the public service:
? Public service reforms undertaken to enhance accountability have emphasized mechanisms inspired from the private sector, such as performance frameworks, or performance-based pay.? Yet, we know surprisingly little in terms of the impacts of such mechanisms on the performance and effectiveness of public institutions, especially in a cross-country context. This is certainly an area that would benefit from more research.
Regarding anti-corruption:
? There is wide mobilization to fight corruption, with many countries having adopted laws and strategies and having set up anti-corruption institutions over the past 10 years.? And while little is known about the effectiveness of those reforms, this is starting to change. Some organizations are looking into this, including for example, the Open Government Partnership and the Global Financial Transparency Initiative.
Lastly, in terms of non-discrimination:
? There has been progress in developing international norms, mirrored by developments in national legislation. However, available data makes it clear that discrimination is still prevalent and remains a formidable challenge.
Beyond looking at broad trends, the report tries to make the link between the institutional principles of SDG 16 and the way in which they are applied by public administration in its daily work.
Another subject of the report is on the gender pay gap. Several countries have adopted measures to address this. It will be interesting to see how effective these new measures turn out to be.
The report also shows very clearly the need for continuing analysis.
? For example, is corruption in public administration less prevalent than it was ten years ago?? Have transparency initiatives led to greater accountability of governments for the delivery of public services?? Is public administration doing a better job at fighting discrimination?
Clearly, all communities working on SDG 16 still have much to do to better understand how institutions can effectively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
Indeed, this is a challenge for all of us. We know that institutions that work well are crucial for delivering on the 2030 Agenda. Strengthened efforts are needed to measure progress on the institutional dimensions of the Goals, in particular Goal 16.
Distinguished Participants,
You have a direct view on what makes a difference in institutional performance for our citizens. I invite you to read and share the report, and to participate in its next edition, which is scheduled for 2021.
I now invite my colleague David le Blanc, who coordinated the preparation of the report, to share his insights.
Having just witnessed outstanding examples of public service initiatives from across the world, it is with great pleasure to present the World Public Sector Report 2019, a publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
There could not be a more fitting occasion to launch this report than at this 缅北禁地Public Service Forum. Since 2001, the World Public Sector Report has shared trends, good practices and lessons learned in public administration; and this forum is dedicated to excellence in public service.
Over the years, the report has benefited tremendously from examples presented at the Forum by United Nations Public Service Award winning initiatives. This year’s report is unique in that it assesses progress on institutional dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as spelled out in Goal 16.
Specifically, the report looks at global trends in transparency and access to information, accountability, anti-corruption, participation and non-discrimination. It also takes stock of what we know about the effectiveness, outcomes and impacts of initiatives that seek to address them. This is illustrated with examples from different SDG areas, including a dedicated chapter on institutions for gender equality.
Let me take this occasion to thank our colleagues from 缅北禁地Women, who collaborated with us on that chapter.
I would like to illustrate some of the trends covered in the report.
Starting with transparency:
? In 2017, 118 countries had adopted a law or policy on the right to information. And 90 countries had the right to information explicitly mentioned in their national constitutions.? As of 2018, 139 countries had implemented open government data (OGD) initiatives that make data available to the public through central portals, as compared with only 46 in 2014.? Most governments now offer information and transactional services online, including e-procurement tools, with a rapid progression in the diffusion of such tools during the past few years.
On participation:
? The past few decades have witnessed the development of participatory mechanisms. For example, the trends show an increase in countries that use e-consultation over time. Trends also show that governments often acknowledge how e-consultations have informed decision-making.
On accountability:
? The effectiveness of oversight exercised by parliaments and supreme audit institutions varies across countries. Lack of resources and staff to conduct independent analysis; and information gaps between governments and parliaments, are key challenges.? The lack of independence of supreme audit institutions remains a concern in many countries, as do capacity issues.
Regarding accountability in the public service:
? Public service reforms undertaken to enhance accountability have emphasized mechanisms inspired from the private sector, such as performance frameworks, or performance-based pay.? Yet, we know surprisingly little in terms of the impacts of such mechanisms on the performance and effectiveness of public institutions, especially in a cross-country context. This is certainly an area that would benefit from more research.
Regarding anti-corruption:
? There is wide mobilization to fight corruption, with many countries having adopted laws and strategies and having set up anti-corruption institutions over the past 10 years.? And while little is known about the effectiveness of those reforms, this is starting to change. Some organizations are looking into this, including for example, the Open Government Partnership and the Global Financial Transparency Initiative.
Lastly, in terms of non-discrimination:
? There has been progress in developing international norms, mirrored by developments in national legislation. However, available data makes it clear that discrimination is still prevalent and remains a formidable challenge.
Beyond looking at broad trends, the report tries to make the link between the institutional principles of SDG 16 and the way in which they are applied by public administration in its daily work.
Another subject of the report is on the gender pay gap. Several countries have adopted measures to address this. It will be interesting to see how effective these new measures turn out to be.
The report also shows very clearly the need for continuing analysis.
? For example, is corruption in public administration less prevalent than it was ten years ago?? Have transparency initiatives led to greater accountability of governments for the delivery of public services?? Is public administration doing a better job at fighting discrimination?
Clearly, all communities working on SDG 16 still have much to do to better understand how institutions can effectively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
Indeed, this is a challenge for all of us. We know that institutions that work well are crucial for delivering on the 2030 Agenda. Strengthened efforts are needed to measure progress on the institutional dimensions of the Goals, in particular Goal 16.
Distinguished Participants,
You have a direct view on what makes a difference in institutional performance for our citizens. I invite you to read and share the report, and to participate in its next edition, which is scheduled for 2021.
I now invite my colleague David le Blanc, who coordinated the preparation of the report, to share his insights.
File date:
Monday, June 24, 2019