(CU)_The Heads of Public Service and Cabinet Secretaries from across the Commonwealth are set to meet in the Heads of Public Service to meet in 2nd Biennial Pan-Commonwealth Meeting that is scheduled to be held next month. The event, which will be held virtually, will be hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, under the theme ‘Frontiers of Government Performance Management: Towards Generally Accepted Performance Principles (GAPP)’.
The Meeting is aimed at providing heads of public service, cabinet secretaries, and senior government officials to review commitments made at the inaugural meeting back in March 2019, and to discuss a range of matter relating to public service governance and examining international best practices. The Meeting will be opened by Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, on 6 June, and will be carried out over three consecutive days. The Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt Hon Mia Mottley QC MP, and the Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonchhen Lotay Tshering, are among the keynote speakers, while several other senior and former government officials and representatives from international organisations will make up the distinguished panel of speakers.
“The effectiveness of government administration is a key factor in the competitive and comparative advantage of nations. Countries with effective and efficient governments are well placed to succeed,” the Commonwealth Secretary-General said in a statement issued on Friday, adding that the collective responsibility of the Commonwealth is “the bond of trust between governments and the people they serve”.
“My aim is to build a Commonwealth-wide network that advances good governance and encourages Commonwealth countries to work together from a position of strength,” she said. “This meeting will be a great opportunity to discuss, share, and agree on strategies for sustaining effective performance in government, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes at the right time, helping governments to drive action to create a better environment for effective delivery and achieve their national development goals.”
