PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BACKBONE OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO RESUMED GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
Press Release
SG/SM/5980
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BACKBONE OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO RESUMED GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
19960503 Following is the text of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's statement to the resumed fiftieth session of the General Assembly on Public Administration and Development, at Headquarters on 15 April 1996:This resumed General Assembly session on Public Administration and Development is especially timely. Your deliberations in the coming days will have particular significance.
The 1990s continue to be a decade of fundamental change. Global transformations have dramatically influenced ways in which Member States act and operate. All nations -- irrespective of their level of economic advancement or political development -- are having to rethink critical issues of governance and purpose. Many are having to reassess fundamental aspects of the relationship between government and society itself.
No task is more critical for any State than the creation of a national modus vivendi -- in economic relations, in political relations, in social relations, and in global relations. Public administration has a vital role in this endeavour. Public administration is the practical mechanism for turning the objectives, aspirations, and decisions of States into actual reality. If public administration is ineffective, the best plans can make little progress. If public administration is corrupt, the interests of citizens cannot be protected.
States at all levels have sought to enhance existing capacities and improve the delivery of goods and services. States in transition have had to re-examine traditional ideas about the role of government in society. Other States have felt the need to place emphasis on building up basic structures of governance. Some advanced States have seen a need to re-engineer structures, and downsize or redirect staff.
But governments, while attempting to become leaner, more efficient, or more globally competitive -- must also not forget their fundamental responsibilities to ensure peace, promote social justice, protect the environment, and uphold the rule of law. These central responsibilities not only determine the character of a State, but also its success.
Public administration systems require constant nurturing and retooling if they are to respond effectively to social, economic, and political change. This is especially true in the developing world, where the imperatives of sustainable development impose unique burdens on public administration systems.
Moreover, as technology and social economic, and political change transform the world -- managerial knowledge, skills and tools, which were once sufficient to maintain operational efficiency and performance of the public administration system, no longer satisfy the basic needs of government.
Improving public administration systems has rightly been a special priority for the United Nations. The United Nations Programme of Public Administration and Finance has spearheaded this function on behalf of the Secretary-General. The report of the Twelfth Meeting of Experts on Public Administration and Finance and my own report on Public Administration and Development highlight some of the things being done. Attention is also drawn to some of the new challenges and unmet needs Member States now face.
Enhancing the capacity of governments to carry out governmental functions, implement governmental policies, and make governmental efforts more effective is, therefore, a key priority. Member States have sought and received United Nations assistance for a wide range of activities intended to strengthen and enhance public institutions and public administration. In many sectors, only the United Nations can demonstrate both the impartiality and the expertise to help Member States achieve results.
United Nations support has included assistance to Member States in introducing modern civil service codes, reforming customs and excise systems, strengthening taxation policies, and implementing taxation reforms. Assistance has also included efforts to improve systems for recruitment, career planning, and decision-making.
The World Bank has supported measures to strengthen personnel management in government and civil service ministries, including the installation of human resources management information systems. More generally, United Nations support for improved public sector management has aided management training programmes, and contributed to national efforts in development planning, public investment programmes, statistical analysis and database development, debt management, and decentralization.
Through the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations has also supported national efforts to improve bureaucratic accountability, particularly in relation to the management of public funds -- a vital aspect of institution building. Assistance has been given in establishing open and rigorous systems of auditing, procurement, and accounting. Technical assistance has been provided in budgeting and revenue collection.
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Effective public administration in a modern State especially requires legal institutions that are effective. Towards this goal, the United Nations has provided direct and indirect assistance for activities, such as drafting constitutions, instituting administrative and financial reforms, strengthening domestic human rights laws, enhancing judicial structures, and training human rights officials.
These and other efforts demonstrate the high priority that good public administration demands. Public administration is the backbone of effective government. It is an essential ingredient if global aspirations for development are to be realized.
This resumed session will draw heightened international awareness to the vital role of public administration in development. It highlights the need to accord public administration reform a high priority on the development agenda. It underscores the need to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations system to facilitate improvements in the public administration systems of Member States -- especially those in developing and transitional economy countries.
As I have stated many times -- peace and development must go hand in hand. Without peace, there can be no development. Without development, there can be no lasting peace. Effective government is essential to achieving the aims of both An Agenda for Peace and the Agenda for Development.
Today, I wish to draw special attention to the importance of United Nations efforts in the field of democratization -- as an integral part of efforts to enhance public administration worldwide. The creation of a truly responsive and effective public service requires participatory decision- making, and this stands at the core of the democratization process.
Democratization is often the single most important factor of improved public administration. Democratization increases accountability. It encourages development of a professional, rather than a political, public administration. It is the enemy of corruption, inefficiency, and poor management. And it provides incentives for maximum effectiveness in the delivery of goods and services.
The results of your deliberations this week will form an integral part of the overall change that will further define the United Nations and its role in the twenty-first century. Your leadership is critical. The mandate you devise over the coming days will ultimately determine the shape of the Organization's future programmes, and the direction of its future activities in support of public administration. This is a vital responsibility.
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