Remarks by UN Zambia Resident Coordinator Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio Africa Public Service Day - 23 June 2021

Good morning.

I am honoured to represent the United Nations family in Zambia at this year’s Africa Public Service Day being observed under the theme “Constructing the Africa we want through embracing an ethical culture that underpins purpose driven leadership.”

The United Nations values the importance of good governance and efficient public administration. On this Day, therefore, we celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community, highlight the contribution of public service to development, recognize the work of public servants and encourage young people to pursue careers in public service.

On this day, we also pay special tribute to the public service workers, including those in Zambia, for their work in providing critical services to the people. Today we honour public servants who have given themselves to ensuring the wellbeing of our communities.  As we face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of public servants is more important than ever.

Guest of honour, ladies and gentlemen

Zambia, like the rest of the world has been facing the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year now. The pandemic has not only impacted the health of the people but also created socio-economic challenges. Limitations in being physically present to provide support all the time has meant coming up with alternative working arrangements that have largely depended on technology.

This year’s observance, therefore, highlights digital innovations in public services. We have seen millions of workers telecommuting with teachers and lecturers providing online lessons as doctors are undertaking telemedicine, among many examples. Public servants have harnessed digital technologies to continue delivering on their mandates in various areas despite the devastating effects of COVID-19. I can attest to this as I and my colleagues in the UN Country Team and our staff have used Zoom, Teams and other means to attend meetings and events such as this one. 

Guest of honour, ladies and gentlemen

The picture is not the same across all governments. Some governments have managed to successfully move more of their public services online while others have lagged behind.  This shows a clear digital divide.  We also have the sad reality of many people including here in Zambia who cannot afford a basic internet connection, let alone reliable broadband internet. For others, their access is simply hindered by lack of skills to navigate online public services effectively.

As public services continue becoming digital, let us not forget the needs of special interest groups such as women, youth and persons with disabilities who are usually left behind. In keeping with the principle of leaving no one behind as we work towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, access to services and development is a must for all groups, without exclusion. 

As I close, let me underscore the commitment of the United Nations family in Zambia in continuing to support the Government and people of Zambia in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand with Zambia in solidarity and offer our full support as only together can we win against the pandemic and get the country back to normal. In doing this, our partnership with the Government and public service remains critical. We call for continued investment in empowering public servants with the tools they need to effectively provide services.

I THANK YOU.