The 3rd Biennial Pan-Commonwealth Meeting for Public Service Leaders concluded with a strong call for heightened investment in smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to improve planning and decision-making for more efficient and effective public service delivery and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Commonwealth.
The three-day gathering featured a keynote address by the Honorable Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, and opening remarks by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Right Honorable Patricia Scotland KC.
Held at the Commonwealth headquarters in London from April 22 to 24, the event focused on the theme ‘Institutionalization of smart government to enhance public service delivery’, underscoring the pressing need to modernize and enhance government efficiency.
Delegates engaged in discussions on government performance management and were presented with case studies from Rwanda, Kenya, India, and Namibia, highlighting the forum’s importance as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Furthermore, delegates reaffirmed the mandate established at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda in 2022, which aims to bridge the digital divide.
Following thorough deliberation, delegates agreed on an outcome statement with clear endorsements, including the establishment of a community of practice for Commonwealth Public Service Leaders to facilitate knowledge exchange and ongoing dialogue on good governance.
Additionally, they committed to developing a roadmap for implementing the agreed-upon actions, including the creation of a Smart Governance Working Group at the Commonwealth Secretariat to drive progress until the next biennial meeting in 2026.
Delegates commended the efforts of the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAIC) in promoting collaboration and capacity building among member countries to ensure the responsible development and application of AI technology.
In her closing remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General expressed her satisfaction with the agreed-upon action points, noting their potential to elevate the Commonwealth Public Service’s performance and productivity.
She emphasized the significance of establishing a Community of Practice for Public Service Leaders to sustain conversations on improvement and modernization.
The meeting reaffirmed its support for the Generally Accepted Performance Principles (GAPP) framework, unanimously approved during the Second Biennial Pan-Commonwealth Meeting of Public Service Leaders in 2022.
By implementing these 16 principles, Commonwealth governments can establish a global standard for evaluating government performance, identifying areas for improvement, and optimizing resource allocation within public services.