Asean addresses civil service management

Civil servants from Asean are working together to improve civil services at the Asean Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) in Vientiane .

In the quest to achieve goals endorsed by Asean leaders, as well as achieving a united Asean Community by 2015, good governance is a key tool.

Held in the context of developing state capacity towards improving the effectiveness of state administration, the three-day 15th ACCSM focuses on exchanging lessons and experiences learnt on the issue from ea ch Asean member country.

In her welcoming remarks, Chairperson of the Public Administration and Civil Service Authority, Ms Bounpheng Mounphoxay, said the conference is a good opportunity for participants to jointly explore challenges and difficulties facing Asean member states in their bid to improve civil service management.

“We will together explore new solutions to problems, so that we can improve civil service management systems in our nations and lift the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services,” she said.

Ms Bounpheng, who is also Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, said the development of state capacity for good civil services is a vital issue in line with a common goal of Asean countries to create effective and efficient civil service management systems that are transparent and strong.

She said valuable contributions from participants will stimulate efforts to improve civil service management in the region, as well as the establishment of an Asean Community by 2015.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad said Asean member states have consistently attached importance to the improvement of civil services, aimed at empowering the state with good governance, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.

“At the same time, measures have been taken to ensure people's wide participation, realisation of government policies and implementation of efficient systems that can deliver public services to the people,” Mr Somsavat said.

Asean states are currently implementing the ACCSM Work Plan for 2008-12, adopted at the 14th ACCSM in Indonesia .

In Laos , improvement and capacity development of the civil service is a priority of the government, with the aim of creating a state truly serving the people, by the people and for the interests of the people, according to Mr Somsavat.

“In the past, our government has done its utmost to improve and establish institutions in an effort to bring our civil service closer to regional and international standards,” he said.

The country has placed importance on exchanging experiences, best practices and cooperation with Asean countries, Asean ‘plus three' countries - China , Japan and Korea - as well as international organizations to improve and develop a strong civil service system.

“The Lao government stands ready to support and fulfill its obligations involving Asean and Asean plus 3 civil service matters and other cooperation activities that will contribute to the realization of the Asean Community,” Mr Somsavat said.
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