Message of the Secretary-General on United Nations Public Service Day, 2026

From schools to social work. From courts to clean streets. From national parks to policing to public transport, public servants make the world go around.

On United Nations Public Service Day, we honour the contributions of public servants everywhere and reaffirm the public sector’s foundational role in building safe and stable societies.

As climate change, conflict and artificial intelligence reshape the world, our future depends on institutions that are innovative and ready to adapt. This means ensuring digital technologies are deployed ethically and effectively – both to reach more people in need, and to enable greater community participation in decision-making.

By working with transparency, integrity and fairness, public servants can help to strengthen good governance and build trust between people and institutions.

Let’s support the dedicated people who turn policies into progress, and together build a better future for all.

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