From managing invasive species to helping to provide waste collectors with decent work, the UN today is presenting 11 public institutions from eleven countries for their work in helping to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  with the Public Service Awards.

The winners of the 2019 UN Public Service Awards are from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Kenya, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.

“More important than ever, we need innovation to drive implementation of the Goals, including through public-private partnerships and multistakeholder partnerships” said Liu Zhenmin, Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

The 17 SDGs were unanimously adopted by all countries in 2015 as part of a comprehensive agenda to promote prosperity and social well-being while protecting the environment.  The Goals require action by all sectors of society, from governments to business and civil society.

Rewarding a wide range of initiatives from around the world

The Awards are given to various initiatives from around the world that are contributing to leaving no one behind.

In Australia, a community-led program the Victorian Rabbit Action Network implements response mechanisms and future interventions to manage an invasive species for protecting Australian land. The Waste Collection Program: Enhancing a Cooperative Network for Productive and Social Inclusion Program in Brazil promotes social inclusion by training and providing waste collectors with decent work and a sustainable source of income. The Up-scaling Basic Sanitation for Urban Poor (UBSUP) initiative provides safe access to adequate sanitation and water in low-income urban areas in Kenya. In Argentina, The Social, Synergistic and Sustainable Business Model transforms plasma into safe and affordable medicines and enables people to treat their illnesses with donated medicines. In Indonesia, PetaBencana.id is a platform for underfunded communities to participate in reducing flood risk and assisting in relief efforts. CNAIM in Portugal implemented a one-stop shop for public administration services for migrants, they provided over 4,000,000 services between 2004 and 2018. In Thailand, the Self-reliant Solar Energy Community initiative increases environmental sustainability by providing low-cost solar energy. In Costa Rica, the initiative called Implementation of the Single Digital Health Record in Primary Care, provides a digital platform for caregivers to access patients’ medical records, optimize resources and reduce the duplication of diagnostic tests.

Other initiatives include Competence Checks for the Vocational Integration for Refugee Women, ABZ*Kompetenzcheck helping refugee women to expand their network and become financially independent in Austria.  In Chile, the Promotion of Women lead companies through the public market helps small enterprises owned by women and improves public procurement processes of hiring women nationwide. In the Republic of Korea, the Public Sanitary Pads Support Policy for Menstrual Health Equity increased the accessibility of menstrual care and information on a national scale.

Sharing innovative ideas to achieve the SDGs together

The Awards ceremony will take place on 24 June during the UN Public Service Forum, which serves as a special occasion to recognize public service innovations that have led to more effective and inclusive public service and are advancing the progress towards achieving the SDGs in countries worldwide. The three-day forum will facilitate discussions under the theme ‘Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through effective Delivery of Services, Innovative Transformation, and Accountable Institutions.’ The forum provides an opportunity to reflect on common challenges and exchange lessons learned from the new approaches and innovations that are being experimented worldwide.

Other events that will also take place during the Forum to discuss key issues such as inclusive public services, digital transformation in the public sector, gender responsive public service, ensuring human rights during SDG implementation, amongst many.

Additional information on the winners and the Public Service Forum can be found at: Bit.ly/UNPSA2019