A fresh cohort of 16 young civil servants from Hong Kong is set to embark on assignments with the United Nations. The official send-off ceremony for the third batch of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region青年公务员 taking up roles at the UN was recently conducted at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong. This selection marks another milestone as these individuals have been chosen for the UN's Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program.
These 16 appointees come from various core departments of the HKSAR government, including the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Census and Statistics Department, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Their professional backgrounds are extensive, and each individual has accrued solid experience in public service roles.
Serving under the status of Chinese nationals, they will be dispatched to the UN Headquarters, as well as field offices in Geneva, Switzerland, Vienna, Austria, and Nairobi, Kenya. Their terms of service will span a duration of two years.
Chief Executive Offers Guidance and Words of Encouragement
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Mr. John Lee, attended the ceremony in person and delivered an address. He emphasized that the participation of Hong Kong's young civil servants in UN roles is a significant initiative that integrates Hong Kong into the nation's overall development, supports the country's broader diplomatic efforts, and contributes to building a global community with a shared future. For these young public officials, this opportunity allows them to bring the unique professional expertise developed in Hong Kong across diverse sectors to an international stage.
During his speech, Mr. Lee specifically offered a message rooted in three core principles for the departing officers: to stay committed to the nation, dedicated to Hong Kong, and engaged with the world. He encouraged them to serve as pioneers in national rejuvenation and key drivers of Hong Kong's high-quality development. He also expressed hope that they would match the outstanding performance of the previous two cohorts and act as authentic storytellers for Hong Kong on the global stage.
This appointment goes beyond a simple overseas work placement. The two-year international work experience presents a valuable chance for these young civil servants to interact with various countries and regions, understand multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and further enhance their capabilities in foreign affairs.
Hong Kong's Continuing Contribution of Talent to the UN
Hong Kong's involvement with the UN JPO program is well-established. The first group of civil servants was dispatched in 2019, followed by a second batch in 2023. Historically, these appointees have performed admirably, gaining recognition from the UN, and some have even seen their assignments extended. The deployment of this third group of 16 young officers signals the ongoing and consistent progress of this talent exchange initiative.
The UN JPO program is designed to nurture young professionals by offering them the chance to work within international organizations. It aims to build experience in multilateral cooperation, expand global perspectives, and strengthen skills related to international affairs. For Hong Kong's young public servants, this platform represents an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Looking ahead, these young individuals who leave Hong Kong today are expected to return in the future with the accumulated international insights and competencies, contributing to the city's social and economic advancement. The true long-term value of this program lies in this cycle: going from Hong Kong to the UN, and eventually bringing that global experience back to enrich Hong Kong.