Today (23) is Government Employees' Day

In accordance with Resolution 57/277 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2002, June 23rd of every year has been declared as United Nations Public Service Day. This day was first celebrated in 2003 with the aim of appreciating the value and nobility of public service rendered for the benefit of society.

This day provides an opportunity to appreciate the dedication of public servants and to prominently highlight their contribution to the overall development process. Furthermore, a key objective is to encourage and motivate the younger generation to pursue careers in the public sector.

The celebration of this special day began in 1978, marking the anniversary of the Public Service Labour Relations Convention established by the International Labour Organization. Concurrently, the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) program was also launched. Managed by the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), this awards ceremony recognizes innovation and excellence in public service institutions worldwide. Specifically, these awards are presented to institutions that make outstanding contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, as well as other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The primary objectives of celebrating this day include promoting an effective, accountable, and accessible public institutional system, appreciating the dedication of public servants, encouraging the next generation of public servants, and globally exchanging innovative public service practices. In today's world, public administration is the backbone of governance and achieving sustainable development goals. The active contribution of public institutions is essential for advancing vital services such as health, education, water, and sanitation. Recent challenges faced by public service include a decline in public trust in democratic countries to between 42% and 43%, increasing public debt, and the need for more flexible digital services. Against this backdrop, collaboration and innovation are crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind.

The United Nations Public Service Forum and Awards Ceremony in 2026 is scheduled to be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from June 23 to 25. This year's theme is "Transforming Public Institutions: Fostering Innovation, Participation, and Inclusivity." Organized jointly by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and relevant United Nations divisions, this conference is expected to be attended by 800 to 1000 ministers, policymakers, and experts from various countries. Workshops focusing on capacity development, innovation, and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, along with ministerial-level roundtable discussions, will be held. The recipients of the 2026 awards for outstanding public service initiatives towards accountable governance will also be announced around June 23.

To celebrate this day worldwide, various workshops, public forums, information booths, community service activities, and educational programs explaining the role of public service are organized. As a member state of the United Nations, Sri Lanka actively contributes to these global celebrations. Public service in Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in the existence of many sectors such as disaster management, healthcare, education, and economic development. Locally, programs are organized to appreciate public departments and civil servants in line with national development goals, as well as to raise awareness about public service. Official events and information related to 2026 can be accessed by the public through the official channels of the Department of Public Service or the Ministry of Public Administration.