Background
In the context of rapid global change, governments worldwide are increasingly required to navigate a complex landscape characterized by high levels of uncertainty, interdependence, and accelerated technological and social transformations. These conditions necessitate a rethinking of governance, in which governments must carefully balance short-term responsiveness, medium-term planning, and long-term vision.
The idea of rigid dogmas in public administration has given way to a more flexible, context-sensitive governance paradigm—one that can respond to growing societal expectations while maintaining legitimacy, integrity, and transparency. This transition requires governments to engage in stronger international cooperation, aimed at learning global best practices while adapting them to their unique political, economic, and cultural contexts.
The Astana Civil Service Hub (ACSH), in partnership with the UNDP GPGS team, is organizing a roundtable featuring leading experts, practitioners, and thought leaders. This event will address current challenges and emerging trends shaping public administration both globally and regionally and will showcase innovative approaches and comparative insights from governments and development partners, aimed at building more effective, inclusive, and accountable public institutions.
Roundtable is aimed to discuss the current challenges of public administration under the pressure of circumstances of new reality, as well as to enhance understanding of the key drivers of change and reform in public administration, identify best practices and policy innovations to inform future civil service reform initiatives, and strengthen collaboration between the Astana Civil Service Hub, UNDP, and international partners in knowledge sharing and joint programming.
A significant highlight of the event will be the launch of ACSH’s new book, Public Administration in the New Reality , which presents diverse perspectives and case studies from around the world on reimagining public administration. The book is available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-3845-1.
Draft Agenda
13:00-13:10 — Opening Remarks
- Mr. Larbi Djacta, Chairman, International Civil Service Commission
- Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director, UNOSSC
- Ms. Sarah Lister, Co-Director, Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub, UNDP
- Mr. Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman, ACSH Steering Committee
13:10-13:40 — Panel Discussions
- Mr. Juwang Zhu, Director, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), UN DESA
- Mr. Alex Brillantes, Secretary General, EROPA
- Mr. Guido Bertucci, Executive Director, International Government Solutions
13:40-14:00 — Opening Remarks
- Q&A Session
- Closing Session
