Panel Discussion on ‘Paving the path to progress: Exploring the interplay of effective public service and the inclusion of women in achieving Sustainable Development Goals’ on the sidelines of the 53rd Session of Human Rights Council
On 22 June 2023, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN in Geneva co-organised a panel discussion ‘Paving the path to progress: Exploring the interplay of effective public service and the inclusion of women in achieving Sustainable Development Goals’ with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The side event was held in Room XXV, Palais des Nations, on the sidelines of the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council. The side event was co-sponsored by the OHCHR, UN Women, UNITAR and Azerbaijan Asan Xidmat.
The side event was a follow-up initiative after the successful adoption of resolution 52/8 “Promoting Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals Through Transparent, Accountable and Efficient Public Service Delivery” on 23 March 2023. It was also held in conjunction with the commemoration of the UN Public Service Delivery Day.
The side event began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Todd Howland, Chief of Development and Economic and Social Rights Branch of the OHCHR, H.E. Mr. Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and H.E. Mr. Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNITAR.
The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. David Boys, Deputy Secretary General of Public Services International, and involved four panelists: (i) Ms. Adriana Quinones, Head of Human Rights and Development, Geneva Office, UN Women; (ii) Ms. Maria Jose Veramendi Villa, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Officer, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR; (iii) Dr. Maheshwara Rao A/L Appannan, Senior Principal Assistant Director, Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health of Malaysia; and (iv) Mr. Alexander A.Mejia, Division Director, UNITAR.
The panelists discussed the important role of women in shaping and delivering transparent, accountable, and effective public services. They emphasized the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment in the public sector, including highlighting a successful example from Malaysia where digital technologies were utilized in the health sector to enhance women's participation in public service delivery.
The panel discussion is one of Malaysia's initiatives as a member of the Core Group on public service and human rights, in promoting transparent, accountable, and effective public services while upholding human rights principles.
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