[Photo: MFA]25 September, New York – The Government of Singapore and the United Nations Development Programme signed an agreement today establishing a Global Centre for Public Service Excellence in Singapore dedicated to policy research and the global exchange of knowledge and information on public service policies, strategies and institutions.
UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark, and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law of Singapore, H.E. K. Shanmugam, were the signatories.
The Global Centre will be operational by the end of 2012. The new office premises at Heng Mui Keng Terrace near the National University of Singapore have been handed over by the Government to UNDP and an Interim Director has been designated for the Centre.
Designed as a collaboration between UNDP and the Government of Singapore, the Global Centre will strengthen the capacities of developing countries to improve efficiency in public services and enable sustainable socio-economic development.
“Strong and responsive public services have a profound effect on the opportunities and quality of life of all people,” said Ms. Clark. “Our aim with this new Global Centre for Public Service Excellence is to create a place where the best thinking on public service policies, strategies and institutional innovation can be consolidated and shared with senior policy makers around the world”.
The Global Centre will function as a research centre that analyses and disseminates the latest information and practices from think-tanks, universities and policy makers in Singapore and other countries in the area of public services. Its research and policy papers will also seek to inform civil servants across the region and beyond on the state of play and the long-term implications of efficient public services that meet the needs of citizens.
The Global Centre will also serve as a convener that promotes South-South collaboration and brings together diverse stakeholders and ideas on public service capacity for sustainable development.
“The Global Centre marks a new chapter to Singapore’s long history of cooperation with the UNDP. Singapore is pleased to partner UNDP for this project, and we hope that the Global Centre will serve as a useful platform for the sharing of Singapore’s development experience and best practices in public service with other countries”, said Mr K Shanmugam.
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UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
Contact Persons:
New York: Stanislav Saling
Tel: + 1 212 906 5296
Email: stanislav.saling@undp.org
Bangkok: Cherie Hart
Tel: +662 304 9100 Ext. 2133
Email: Cherie.hart@undp.org
Government of Singapore:
Brandon D’Cruz
Email: Patrick_Brandon_Dcruz@mfa.gov.sg