Working group on digital government | Public Institutions (un.org)

Current work

Strengthening public institutions in the digital era: In support of the 2025 ECOSOC cycle of work, the CEPA working group will provide policy advice on the role of Governments in ensuring transparency and accountability of artificial intelligence systems in public administration.

Background

The great acceleration of digitalization that the COVID-pandemic has engendered is irreversible, with profound effects on the sharing of data and information and public service delivery, as well as opportunities for collaboration across government and with civil society, individuals, and other non-State actors. Central to the global debate on government in the digital era is the broader challenge of ensuring a just, inclusive, people-centred and rights-based digital transformation that leaves no one behind.

The Committee has discussed issues in digital government since its first session in 2002. Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, it has focused on supporting countries on their path to achieving the SDGs by examining ways to strengthen public trust, integrity and inclusion through digital transformation, improving public service delivery and engagement through digital solutions, building digital capacity at all levels, addressing digital divides, improving data governance, mitigating risks arising from the use of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and drawing attention to the impact of fake news and misinformation on government functions.

CEPA observations and insights

Artificial intelligence governance to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used by governments, organizations and people with immense potential benefits. However, many challenges and ethical concerns remain that must be addressed urgently as the technology continues to evolve. Governments have a particularly important role to play in governance of the technology, both as regulators and users. Together with the relevant entities and forums of the United Nations system and others engaged in the global dialogue on this issue, Governments could usefully identify guiding principles and policy priorities for the regulation and use of artificial intelligence by the public sector so that the diffusion of the technology reinforced implementation of the 2030 Agenda and left no one behind. (CEPA 23^rd session, 2024)

Stimulating public sector innovation through digital technology

Stimulating public sector innovation through digital technology remains a critical and complex issue with implications for all parts of government, including operational agencies, regulatory authorities and oversight bodies. There is a need for hybrid approaches to public service delivery that reflect people’s needs and aspirations while addressing digital capacity deficits. National digital strategies, for their part, should take a holistic approach that focusses on concrete results, closing digital divides and enhancing lives and well-being. They should also be fit-for-purpose, balance opportunities and risks, reinforce respect for human rights, and ensure continuous efforts to anticipate and respond to the impact of technological advances on government and society. (CEPA 22^nd session, 2023)

Investing in digital capabilities and expertise while leaving no one behind

The digitalization of government and society continues to offer immense opportunities to leapfrog development, improve public service delivery, combat corruption, reduce inequalities and improve State-citizen relations provided it is managed in a fair, ethical and people-centred manner. Efforts to address digital divides are urgently needed if the digital transformation is to achieve its full potential, alongside improved data governance and greater attention to the mitigation of risks arising from ICTs, such as artificial intelligence and social media, through new policy and regulatory regimes and standards. (CEPA 21^st session, 2022)

Digitalization and the emergence of new work modalities in the public sector

In the context of public sector workforce matters, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of digitalization and flexible work in the public sector and opened up possibilities for new work modalities, with the use of information and communication technologies, and new types of contracts. New ways of working have also exposed inequalities and digital divides across the public sector workforce. Equal opportunities should be given for the provision of digital capacity with special attention given to public sector workers in low-income and conflicted countries and in rural and remote areas where digital gaps are most pronounced. While governments could benefit greatly from digitalized services and a strong online presence, misinformation and fake news will have to be combatted to retrain trust in government. (CEPA 20^th session, 2021)

What action does ECOSOC recommend?

ECOSOC reiterates that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has both accelerated the digital transition and revealed technological weaknesses of public administrations while exacerbating inequalities caused by digital divides, and encourages Governments to manage digitalization of public services in an inclusive, fair, ethical and people-centred manner, while accelerating efforts to bridge digital divides, inter alia, through hybrid models of public service delivery (ECOSOC resolution 2024/L.14, para. 16).

ECOSOC recognizes that Governments play a central role in ensuring equal access to the benefits of digital technology and preventing harm, and underscores the need for Governments, in collaboration with the relevant entities and forums of the United Nations system, to identify guiding principles and policy priorities for the regulation and use of artificial intelligence by the public sector so that the diffusion of the technology reinforces implementation of the 2030 Agenda and leaves no one behind (ECOSOC resolution 2024/L.14, para. 17).

ECOSOC encourages governments to further promote professionalization of the public sector workforce, invest in digital skills, update competency frameworks for implementation of the 2030 Agenda, address inequalities that exist within the public sector workforce, and take steps to address social inequities in the design and delivery of public services (ECOSOC resolution 2023/28, para 18)

ECOSOC encourages oversight agencies to strengthen the use of open data and artificial intelligence to detect and deter corruption and bribery in all their forms (ECOSOC resolution 2022/9, para. 15).

ECOSCOC encourages Governments to develop appropriate schemes for managing flexible work and contract work in the public sector, review public sector labour laws to reflect flexible work arrangements, develop protocols and guidelines for performance assessment in flexible work regimes, and accelerate efforts to enhance digital skills in the context of public sector workforce planning at both the national and subnational levels (ECOSOC resolution 2021/12, para. 12).

Expert papers on this topic (2016-present)

MDREA Membership Application

MDREA Membership Application

MDREA Membership Application

MDREA Membership Application

MDREA Membership Application

Improving engagement and communication between government and stakeholders through online and mobile solutions (conference room paper, 28 April 2016)

MDREA Membership Application

Evaluation of open government performance and results (conference room paper, January 2016)

Blogs by CEPA members

2024

Governing artificial intelligence for all by Sherifa Sherif, Member of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration, in collaboration with members of the working group on digital government

2023

Stimulating public sector innovation through digital technology and measuring the impact of digital government by Henry Sardaryan, Member of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration