Co-organized by the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan and the United Nations, the UN Public Service Forum has kicked off today at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, the presidential press service reported.
The opening ceremony was attended by First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva. She also made a speech at the event.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin also addressed the event and presented the UN special award for promoting innovation in the digital public service delivery in Azerbaijan to Mehriban Aliyeva.
The forum was also addressed by Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ulvi Mehdiyev, and Rector of Gunadarma University, Vice-president of Indonesian Private University Association Prof. Eko Sri Margianti.
The forum involves more than 500 delegates from over 190 countries, including ministers of public administration and public services from various countries, as well as senior executives of local authorities, academic circles and private sector.
The event will feature plenary sessions, different workshops and parallel events. It also plans to award this year's winners of the UN Public Services Award in 5 different categories. Furthermore, the State Agency is planning to sign cooperation agreements with a number of foreign countries.
The forum is annually held ahead of the UN Public Service Day since June 23, 2003. The purpose of the Forum is to hold discussions related to the issues on public administration, advanced public service delivery models, innovations and relevant topics in this field, as well as to ensure interstate exchange of advanced practices in this area.
