Global Leaders Gather in Samarkand for the 2025 UN Public Service Forum

From 23 to 25 June 2025, the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 will be held in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The forum will bring together high-ranking civil servants from across the world, international and regional organizations, civil society representatives, academic institutions, companies, and innovation leaders to discuss the future of public service. The agenda will include the theme: “Five years until 2030: Accelerating public service delivery for a sustainable future”.

The Forum is organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Agency for the Development of Public Service under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Agency for Strategic Reforms.

About the UN Public Service Forum

The UN Public Service Forum (UNPSF) is a major international platform that brings together governments, international organizations, and civil society to improve public service delivery, foster innovation, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Its main objective is to develop strategies and approaches to strengthen the capacity of public service in support of sustainable development.

The forum annually focuses on current and priority areas of public administration, conducting a comprehensive analysis of its various aspects. It unites global leaders, policymakers, practitioners, innovators, international and regional bodies, academia, NGOs, and the private sector.

The international event was first held in New York in 2003 and has since taken place in the USA, Austria, Spain, Tanzania, Bahrain, Morocco, Colombia, Baku in 2019, and the Republic of Korea in 2024.

The forum serves as a platform for ministers, decision-makers, and frontline public servants to explore and enhance skills necessary for promoting innovation and transformation at both local and national levels.

Uzbekistan — Host of the 2025 UN Public Service Forum

This is the first time the forum will be held in Uzbekistan, and it is of great significance to the country. The decision reflects the strong cooperation between the UN and Uzbekistan in the field of public service. It also signals Uzbekistan’s growing foreign policy activity, diplomatic stature, and its aspiration for regional leadership.

Thanks to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visionary strategy, Uzbekistan has made notable progress. Partnerships have expanded, and the country’s openness to knowledge exchange with developed nations is gaining global attention. Hosting this Forum highlights Uzbekistan’s advanced level of digital innovations and reforms in governance and service delivery. Uzbekistan sees the modernization of governance not only as a means to boost efficiency, but also as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development goals. In this process, the President is seen not only as a political leader, but also as a principal architect of development. He has publicly acknowledged existing challenges and implemented the principle that “It is not the people who should serve the state bodies, but the state bodies that should serve the people”. The idea of “For the dignity, happiness, and satisfaction of every person!” has become a core value in the Constitution, legislation, and public administration.

As a result of the decision, putting the interests of the people first as a priority of state policy, the Virtual Reception of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and People’s Receptions were created. These systems allowed each citizen to directly address their problems to the head of state and officials.

Another major outcome of Uzbekistan’s reforms is the emergence of a new, open, and effective model of state–society and leader–citizen relations. The goal is to encourage face-to-face dialogue, strengthen trust, understand local issues deeply, and ensure that no one is left behind by making people’s interests central to all decisions. Rapid digitalization of public service delivery and increased freedom of expression have led to greater citizen engagement in political and social processes. These achievements have made Uzbekistan a frequent host of high-level international events.

Forum Agenda and Key Themes

The forum will officially open on 23 June — the UN Public Service Day. It will feature high-level discussions, thematic sessions, strategic partnership presentations, and agreements focused on improving governance and enhancing public service efficiency.

Key topics to be discussed include:

Establishing Innovation Labs in Public Administration: The role of technology in making services efficient, transparent, and accountable;
Reaching the “Last Mile”: Sharing global experiences on inclusive public services and ensuring equal access for all population groups;
Accelerating Innovation: Exploring opportunities to transform governance through collaborative approaches and digital solutions.

The Forum will also feature:

Plenary sessions with leading experts in digital governance, AI, and sustainable public sector reform;
Interactive workshops on cutting-edge innovations in governance, data management, and digital transformation;
Recognition and awards for countries with notable innovations in e-government and public services;
Study visits to explore Uzbekistan’s leading initiatives in digital government and public service delivery.

Global Significance of the Forum

The UN Public Service Forum is a unique space for dialogue with policymakers, experts, and innovators driving transformation in public service delivery. Participants will explore the role of AI and other modern technologies in improving efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness in the public sector.

The Forum will also explore strategies to ensure equal access to essential public services for all segments of the population, and showcase successful models of digital governance. These models have also become an integral part of the reforms that are currently having a significant impact around the world.

The 2025 Forum is not merely a dialogue platform — it marks a key milestone in shaping the future of public service. Its role as a global platform for governance and reform discussions continues to grow.

Uzbekistan’s participation and role as host is expected to mark a new era — expanding initiatives for public service modernization, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening international cooperation.