PRESS CONFERENCE ON WORLD PUBLIC SECTOR REPORT 2005

PRESS CONFERENCE ON WORLD PUBLIC SECTOR REPORT 2005

Aging workforces, labour migration patterns and the toll of the HIV/AIDS crisis were among the challenges faced by developing countries, as they moved to strengthen their civil service systems, according to a top United Nations official, speaking at the launch of the World Public Sector Report 2005.

At a Headquarters press conference today, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Jose Antonio Ocampo discussed the positive trends and challenges that emerged from the Report’s look at public administration around the world.  Joining him was Guido Bertucci, Director of the Division for Public Administration and Development Management, Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

While highlighting such positive aspects as the value of merit appointments and daunting challenges such as HIV/AIDS, Mr. Ocampo said the main message of the Report was “there is no short cut to building a quality civil service.  In the end, it is the quality of the civil service that matters”.

The Report, published every two years, surveyed some of the major trends, models and related visions that had influenced human resource management practices around the world in recent decades.  The main objective of this year’s Report, entitled “Unlocking the Human Potential for Public Sector Performance”, was to underline the critical role of people and human resources management in effective public administration.  A particular focus was placed on developing countries and transition economies.

Mr. Ocampo said the Report contained several positive messages.  One focused on the importance of merit appointments, which were critical to foster the prestige and integrity of the public service system, as it improved its quality.  The Report also highlighted the effectiveness of performance management, meaning the support and development of staff; the contribution of political leaders that worked with the existing civil service system; and the importance of professional human resources management.

On the other hand, several caveats about the popular ideas that had surrounded public sector reform for many years also emerged from the survey, he said.  For example, the evidence showed that outsourcing was a double-edged sword.  The Report noted that improved efficiency had been one of the claimed benefits of outsourcing.  While outsourcing might reduce costs, the savings might emanate mainly from less favourable pay and working conditions for the employees that worked for the private sector outsourcing company.

Shifting demographics was an issue that challenged both developed and developing countries, as an ageing workforce placed greater demands on the finances of public service pension funds in many countries, Mr. Ocampo said.  That was a critical issue as pension funds were an important element that attracted workers into the civil service systems.

Many developing countries were also challenged by labour migration patterns as educated workers left their public sector jobs.  HIV/AIDS was another critical issue for public sector systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.  The pandemic reduced the pool of prospective employees and contributed to high levels of absenteeism.

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For information media • not an official record