Today we celebrate the dedication of public servants everywhere. We salute their tireless
efforts to provide efficient and inclusive services that are available to all.
The world faces enormous social, economic and environmental challenges. Ensuring that
our public services are accountable and that our public servants are fully able to rise to
the moment is vital.
This is a year for concerted global action. United Nations conferences on financing for
development in July, on adopting a new set of Sustainable Development Goals in
September, and the Paris Conference on Climate Change in December can help generate
momentum for strengthening leadership in public services. As we transition from the
Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, Governments
everywhere will need to adopt innovative and integrated approaches to promote policy
change, institutional coordination, participatory decision-making, and effective,
responsive, inclusive and accountable service delivery.
This year's United Nations Public Service Awards recognize that innovation and
leadership contribute to better and more accountable services to local communities,
including marginalized groups that are present at the commemoration of Public Service
Day in Medellin, Colombia, the United Nations will recognize twenty-two public
institutions for their achievements.
On this Public Service Day, I thank all public servants for their daily efforts to make a
difference. I also call upon young people everywhere to consider dedicating themselves
to the noble cause of public service as we strive to build a future of dignity of all.