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United Nations Public Service Day 2025 will be observed on June 23 with the United Nations Public Service Day 2025 Forum in Samarkand, focusing on SDGs and public service innovation.
PWOnlyIAS
June 14, 2025
United Nations Public Service Day is globally observed every year on June 23 to honour the invaluable contributions of public service institutions and professionals. Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 57/277 on 20 December 2002, this observance not only highlights the importance of public service in development but also aims to inspire younger generations to explore careers in the public sector.
United Nations Public Service Day 2025 will be observed on Monday, 23 June 2025, to celebrate the tireless contributions of public servants across the globe. This year’s theme, “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future,” calls on governments and institutions to embrace innovation and transformation to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the remaining years. Events like the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will focus on collaborative governance, capacity-building, and honouring excellence through the United Nations Public Service Awards program.
| United Nations Public Service Day | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Name of the Day | United Nations Public Service Day |
| Date | 23 June (Annually) |
| Year of Inception | 2003 |
| Declared By | United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/57/277) |
| Coordinated By | United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESC) |
| Theme for 2025 | “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future” |
| Key Event in 2025 | United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
| Purpose of the Day | To recognise the value of public service, honour public servants, and promote innovation in governance |
| Associated Program | United Nations Public Service Awards program (UNPSA) |
| Regional Celebrations | Africa Public Service Day, National Public Service Days in many countries |
| Focus Areas | Good governance, sustainable development, transparency, youth participation |
| SDG Relevance | Directly supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) |
The History of United Nations Public Service Day dates back to 20 December 2002, when the UN General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/57/277, officially designating June 23 as the annual day of observance. This date aligns with the International Labour Organisation’s 1978 Convention on Labour Relations (No. 151), which established fair standards for the working conditions of civil servants globally.
The inaugural celebration of the Day took place in 2003, marking the beginning of a global tradition dedicated to recognising the crucial role of public institutions in development and democracy.
List Of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise List
United Nations Public Service Day 2025 will be observed on Monday, June 23, 2025, marking the 23rd anniversary of this global celebration. The theme for this year is “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future.” This year’s theme underscores the urgency to enhance the efficiency and inclusivity of public institutions to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The United Nations Public Service Day serves several key objectives:
One of the central components of this observance is the United Nations Public Service Awards program. Established in 2003 by the UN Economic and Social Council (UNESC), this prestigious awards initiative recognises innovative public service institutions around the world that exemplify:
Over 250 initiatives from across five regional groups—Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Western Asia—have been awarded for improving public governance and achieving tangible societal outcomes.
Source:unric.org
In 2016, the UN Public Service Awards program was restructured to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasising the indispensable role of effective public institutions in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 23 to 25 June 2025. This significant event, co-hosted by UN DESA and the Government of Uzbekistan, will serve as a platform for:
Focused on innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation, the forum aims to accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: unpsf2025.org
The importance of United Nations Public Service Day lies in its spotlight on the indispensable role of public servants in maintaining the operational backbone of societies. They are the educators, healthcare providers, emergency responders, administrators, and policymakers who ensure the smooth functioning of everyday life.
Amid global crises such as climate change, pandemics, and social inequality, public servants remain at the forefront. They translate policies into action and support communities through innovation, leadership, and compassion.
Public service institutions across countries mark the day with various United Nations Public Service Day Celebration activities, such as:
In Africa, this observance aligns with the Africa Public Service Day, further emphasizing the continent’s efforts in recognizing and promoting public sector excellence.
“On this United Nations Public Service Day, I salute the women and men around the world who have dedicated their lives to the highest-possible calling: public service… Now is the time to equip public servants with new skills and tools—like AI—to ensure technology becomes a force for progress.”
This powerful message reflects the global urgency to empower civil servants with modern skills and tools to tackle emerging challenges.
The United Nations Public Service Day is more than just a celebration—it is a reaffirmation of the critical role public servants play in delivering essential services and fostering inclusive development. As we edge closer to 2030, United Nations Public Service Day 2025 urges us to accelerate reforms, embrace innovation, and empower those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
By recognising their efforts and investing in institutional capabilities, we pave the way toward a more equitable, transparent, and sustainable world for generations to come.
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