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The Committee of Experts on Public Administration held its twentieth session from 12 to 21 April 2021 using a virtual platform. The overall theme was “Building inclusive, effective and resilient institutions for sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease pandemic and timely implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
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One of the key messages of the Committee was that recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of the Goals should not be seen as sequential or separate. The 2030 Agenda provided a roadmap to recover from the pandemic and build resilience to future shocks. Achieving sustainable development and strengthening resilience required a long-term perspective in policymaking together with institution-building at all levels, based on effective governance for sustainable development, and a steadfast commitment to promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Azerbaijan, Colombia and Indonesia made presentations on various institutional issues as part of an interactive dialogue with the experts.
The Committee emphasized that transparent, accountable and participatory management of public finances was a key element of effective governance, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic, when governments around the world face decreasing revenues and increasing expenditures. Extraordinary circumstances could not be an excuse for a lack of transparency, accountability and participation. Such decisions would impact the effectiveness of public spending and public service provision, fairness in the distribution of public funds, political dynamics, and the well-being of people, especially of vulnerable and excluded groups, including refugees and displaced persons, altogether affecting implementation of the Goals.
The Committee underscored the need for ownership of the eleven principles of effective governance to accelerate action on building strong institutions and action. For this to happen, mechanisms were needed to support a culture of realizing the principles at all levels and among both older and younger generations of public sector workers. In addition, greater effort could be made to promote awareness among parliamentarians and permanent secretaries with an emphasis on encouraging “ministerial excellence” and leadership development to enable implementation.
The Committee recommended that national budgets be aligned with the Goals, which in most cases required that the budgets be reorganized around programmes and activities. Implementing the Goals by incorporating them into national budgeting systems required a strategic decision by political leaders, as well as technical efforts. Reorganization of budgets from a traditional format to activity-based budgeting and programme budgeting was a key step that would enable the government to allocate funds toward the achievement of the Goals, and to monitor outcomes. Better budgeting in the context of the Goals entailed participation, such as by informing and engaging legislatures, supreme audit institutions, civil society and the public. Budget transparency and literacy were enablers for public participation throughout the budget process.
The Committee stressed that the potential of sustainable public procurement was underutilized. Public procurement represented, on average, 13 to 20 per cent of GDP. By leveraging public expenditure, Governments could lead by example, stimulating markets for sustainable products and services and helping steer society towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns. Market mechanisms could be used to expand procurement options but required inspection and enforcement along with the capacity in the public sector to support them. Supreme audit institutions could play a crucial role in monitoring progress at the national level and adequate legislation should be in place to do so effectively.
The Committee highlighted that the pandemic had accelerated the trend of digitalization and flexible work in the public sector and had opened up possibilities for new work modalities, with the use of technology, and new types of contracts. Benefits and compensation schemes and reasonable work contracts for all types of frontline workers should reflect the changing nature of public sector work and the risks that frontline workers faced. New ways of working had 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 to the local level. For sustainable recovery from the pandemic, public services should be delivered with a focus on citizen-centricity and workforce management in harmony with people’s expectations.
The Committee also observed that the pandemic was likely to exacerbate existing challenges in conflict-affected countries and increase pressure on already struggling institutions. Sexual and gender-based violence had increased due to the pandemic where security forces were empowered and had the opportunity to abuse their position. The proactive leadership of governments was key to the recovery from the pandemic and should be free of political considerations. Clear, verified information backed up by evidence was essential to overcoming challenges related to fake news and mistrust of government. Local leaders and civil society organizations on the ground remained critical partners both in terms of peacebuilding and aiding vaccination programmes that rely on trust and legitimacy.
The Committee adopted a draft resolution and a draft decision for the consideration of the Economic and Social Council. The Committee also reaffirmed its contribution to the 2021 high-level political forum on sustainable development on the 2021 theme from a governance and public administration perspective.