The 24th Annual Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) was held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 7 to 11 April 2025. The theme of this remarkable event was,  “Governance and institutional perspectives on advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the SDGs”.

CEPA-24

What is CEPA?

The United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) is a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Composed of 24 independent experts from around the world, these advise the UN on issues of public administration, governance, institutional capacity-building, and civil service reform.

CEPA’s role is pivotal in guiding member states to build transparent, accountable, effective, and inclusive institutions that can deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

IPPDR represented

Through its sessions and reports, CEPA informs and influences global public sector reform by promoting standards, tools, and practices in public service excellence.

This year’s theme acknowledged the need for policy decisions grounded in data, empathy, and foresight. In a world facing climate change, digital disruption, and inequality, the call for evidence-based governance has never been more urgent.

CEPA’s 24th session addressed questions such as:

  1. How can governments ensure their institutions are inclusive and resilient?
  2. What mechanisms are needed to integrate scientific knowledge and public input in policy-making?
  3. How can youth, marginalized communities, and non-state actors contribute to public administration?

These questions are at the heart of IPPDR’s mission.

IPPDR at CEPA 24: Youth, Peace, and the Power of Participation

Under the visionary leadership of Ambassador Dr. Andrise Bass, IPPDR’s delegation proudly participated in key discussions, shared insights from its youth training programs across 57+ countries, and engaged with international experts on how to make institutions more responsive, inclusive, and future-oriented.

Key Messages Shared by IPPDR at CEPA

Youth must be seen as institutional stakeholders, not just beneficiaries
Recognizing the importance of inclusive governance, IPPDR emphasizes the need to institutionalize youth inclusion in decision-making, particularly in the realms of local governance, public finance, and climate response.

IPPDR team at the CEPA event

Peace and Governance Are Interlinked
In addition to structural reforms, sustainable public administration requires a culture of peace, ethics, and empathy within institutions.

Evidence Must Be Holistic
While scientific evidence remains fundamental, it is equally important to complement it with human-centered data—including lived experiences, cultural context, and community feedback.

IPPDR’s Recommendations Based on E/C.16/2025/8 at the CEPA

In response to CEPA’s working document E/C.16/2025/8, IPPDR submitted a series of evidence-backed, youth-informed recommendations to enhance institutional resilience and social trust:

1. Mental Health and Psychological Resilience

To begin with, governments must provide mental health support for public servants and youth leaders. Indeed, emotional fatigue and burnout not only affect individual well-being, but also directly impact performance and meaningful participation in governance processes.

2. Family Support and Work-Life Balance

In addition, policies should be designed to support the families of civil servants and ensure that youth balancing caregiving responsibilities with civic duties are not excluded from active participation.

3. Transparent Decision-Making and Accountability

Furthermore, promoting open governance dashboards, citizen feedback loops, and clear communication channels is essential for fostering transparency and enhancing public trust.

4. Leadership Training for All Ages

In pursuit of inclusive leadership, it is essential to establish intergenerational leadership incubators and mentorship pipelines, thereby equipping youth, mid-level professionals, and elders for effective and collaborative administration.

5. Feedback as a Governance Tool

To ensure comprehensive and equitable policies, it is crucial to institutionalize public feedback, especially from young people, women, and Indigenous communities, so as to guide reform and implementation at the grassroots level.

Gratitude and Commitment

We extend our gratitude to the CEPA Secretariat, UN DESA, and all participating experts and delegations for creating space for authentic dialogue, accountability, and transformation.

In particular, we thank CEPA for valuing the critical role of civil society and for acknowledging that good governance is not merely technical—it is, above all, human, inclusive, and ethical.

IPPDR team at the CEPA event
The Path Forward: Building Institutions With—and For—the Future

In conclusion, as we reflect on CEPA 24, we reaffirm our belief that:
“Public institutions are not only instruments of service; we are guardians of hope—and it is the youth who must help carry that flame forward.”

Ambassador Dr. Andrise Bass and the IPPDR team continue to work with global partners to advance capacity-building, policy education, and diplomatic leadership programs—all of which shape peace-driven, transparent, and future-ready public institutions.

Find more information

For partnerships, training opportunities, and official documentation from CEPA 24
Website: www.ippdr.org
Email: info@ippdr.org