New York, 9 April 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) co-hosted the FutureGov side event on Public Sector Transformation on 8 April 2025 in New York, as part of the 24th Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA). The event helped to highlight the increasing importance of an Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation agenda (“3i” Agenda) in public administration to help accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event brought together government officials, international financial institutions, and regional institutions to discuss how transformative governance can help build more responsive and resilient public sectors in a time of global complexity and change. Discussions included experiences from Bhutan, Brazil, and Ethiopia and featured the official launch of “FutureGov.org”, a new digital platform to share knowledge and tools for more agile and future-ready public administrations.
“The path to public sector transformation requires sustained commitment and strong partnerships. We must build governance systems that are fit for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Chair of CEPA.
The panelists highlighted national and regional public sector transformation journeys, including the Astana Civil Service Hub and the role of partnerships. The World Bank and other partners shared how international cooperation can amplify reform efforts and scale successful models globally.
“Public sector transformation is not a one-time effort—it requires continuous learning and adaptation,” said Sarah Lister, Co-Director of the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub at UNDP. “Through FutureGov, we’re helping governments build institutions that are inclusive, accountable, and innovative.”
The panel featured a distinguished lineup of speakers:
- Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Chair, CEPA
- Cristina Mori, Deputy Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Brazil
- Dr. Mekuria Haile, Federal Civil Service Commissioner of Ethiopia
- Juwang Zhu, Director, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, UN DESA
- Isabelle Mercier, Director, Independent Evaluation Office, UNDP
- Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman, Steering Committee, Astana Civil Service Hub
- Sarah Lister, Co-Director, Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub, UNDP
- Patrick Duong, Global Lead, Governance for Public Goods and Services, UNDP
- Mathieu Cloutier, Program Manager, Coalitions for Reforms Global Program, The World Bank
The FutureGov side event marks a renewed commitment to advancing public institutions that are responsive, inclusive, and forward-looking, designed to deliver meaningful outcomes for all.
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For more information, please contact:
Nevra Gömdeniz, Communications Officer for Governance for Public Goods and Services, UNDP at [email protected]
About FutureGov
FutureGov is one of the 12 UN High Impact Initiatives designed to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening public sector capabilities through Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation. FutureGov brings Member States, partners and experts together on the centrality of public sector transformation, while allowing Member States to share capability-building experiences and reiterate their commitments to public sector transformation moving forward.
Learn more at futuregov.org or follow @FutureGov_
