Accelerating public service delivery for a sustainable future

With just five years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the urgency to accelerate action has never been greater. Governments around the world are grappling with interconnected challenges including high and rising inequality, climate change, public health crises, economic instability, and declining trust in institutions. 

Recognizing the critical need for coordinated global action, last year world leaders agreed the Pact for the Future and its annexes - the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. These agreements aim to modernize international cooperation and address shared concerns through inclusive dialogue and collaboration.

Public administrations play a vital role in turning global commitments into meaningful local actions. Strengthening public institutions, leveraging digital technologies, fostering innovation, and building inclusive partnerships are key to ensuring that public services reach every community and close the ‘last mile gap.’

The 2025 United Nations Public Service Forum, which will be held from 23 to 25 June in Samarkand, Uzbekistan will focus on building the future capabilities of public institutions to better support the SDGs. Co-organized by UN DESA and the Government of Uzbekistan, the Forum’s central goal is to enhance the institutional, human, and technological capacities of public sector institutions and civil servants, ensuring that they remain effective and adaptable in the face of evolving challenges.

Bringing together ministers, policymakers, and public servants, the Forum will serve as a vibrant platform for sharing best practices, exploring new strategies, and promoting transformative approaches to governance. It will particularly emphasize three subthemes crucial to accelerating progress: digital transformation; last mile delivery; and accelerating innovation.

By addressing emerging issues and equipping public servants with the tools to drive sustainable change, the Forum aims to inspire bold action and innovative thinking across all levels of government, paving the way for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future.

For more information: 2025 United Nations Public Service Forum