Forum highlights innovation in public administration
Participants of the 2024 United Nations Public Service Forum pose at the event in Songdo, Incheon, Monday. They include Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, front row eighth from left, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, front row seventh from left, and Li Junhua, front row sixth from right, U.N. under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs. Yonhap
INCHEON — Over 2,000 participants from 100 countries, including decision-makers across the public sector and representatives of international organizations, discussed ways to foster innovation in the public administration sector at the 2024 United Nations Public Service Forum in Incheon, Monday.
Under the theme "Fostering Innovation Amid Global Challenges: A Public Sector Perspective," the forum kicked off at Songdo ConvensiA for a three-day run, bringing together high-level government officials from various countries including the United States, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Honduras.
This was the first in-person forum since the 2019 event held in Azerbaijan, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which co-organized the event with the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The event aimed to provide a platform for ministers, senior-level decision-makers, and working-level public servants to develop the skills needed to formulate concrete actions to promote innovation and transformation in the public service sector.
During the opening ceremony, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min highlighted the importance of international solidarity to tackle global challenges.
"Uncertainty is looming in the international order due to increasing geopolitical conflicts. There are both expectations and apprehensions regarding the future, particularly with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, big data, and biotechnology," Lee said in his opening remarks.
Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min delivers the opening speech at the U.N. Public Service Forum in Songdo, Incheon, Monday. Yonhap
"In order for the world to overcome crises and enjoy sustainable peace and prosperity amid such rapidly changing environments, we must enhance problem-solving capabilities through public administration innovation and seek mutually beneficial solutions through global solidarity and cooperation."
Li Junhua, under-secretary-general for U.N. economic and social affairs, said, "The theme of this year's forum ... is particularly relevant in today's complex world. We need robust, reliable and resilient public institutions that can withstand disruptions and actively engage the most vulnerable through inclusive and participatory decision-making."
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for stronger global partnerships to achieve resiliency and ensure that no one is left behind.
"This year's forum is particularly relevant as we work to revitalize and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) following major setbacks caused by the global pandemic, regional conflicts, and subsequent slowdowns in the global economy," Ban said in his keynote speech.
"However powerful or resourceful, there is nothing one can do alone in addressing climate change and achieving sustainability. I urge all of you to join hands on deck," the former U.N. chief added.
Booths operated by Korean state-run institutions showcasing innovative cases in the public sector are set up at the exhibition hall at the U.N. Public Service Forum venue in Songdo, Incheon, Monday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hyo-jin
Meanwhile, participants were offered a chance to explore Korea's cutting-edge technologies in public administration at an exhibition hall featuring various local governments and state-run institutions.
Additionally, 15 recipients of this year's U.N. Public Service Awards set up booths showcasing their projects and initiatives, highlighting the creative achievements and contributions of public institutions around the world in addressing the social, economic, and environmental needs of society. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday.
"It's really a valuable experience for us and our country to see the Korean technologies. We will explore ways to utilize these innovations in our country's public sector. I hope that we and Korea can continue to cooperate in various areas," Aidar Saitbekov, vice minister of the Kazakh interior ministry, told The Korea Times as he toured the exhibition hall.
Later in the day, a plenary session under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Government" explored the increasing role of AI in government and discussed necessary steps to mitigate potential risks.
The session gathered four speakers: Sherzod Shematov, Uzbek minister of digital technologies; Dimitri Kusnezov, under-secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Cha In-hyok, a Korean expert on AI and member of the presidential committee on digital platform government; and Barbara Chiara Ubaldi, head of the digital government and data unit at the OECD public governance directorate.
The Uzbek minister emphasized the positive effects of AI-driven technologies in reducing government burdens and increasing opportunities for citizens. Kusnezov emphasized that AI is a crucial tool in addressing emerging forms of crime. However, he also underscored the importance of preserving public trust in AI-driven tools by warning against potential biases.