State Oil Fund wins UN Public Service Award

The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

Established in 2003 it rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. The UN General Assembly, in its Resolution dated March 7, 2003 designated 23 June as Public Service Day.

The State Oil Fund is a first governmental agency that is awarded the UN Public Service Award among the governmental institutions of the Eastern Europe and CIS countries, APA reports.

Guido Bertucci, Director of the Division for Public Administration and Development Management of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs has sent a letter to SOFAZ.

The letter reads out: "I am pleased to congratulate your organization on winning the 2007 United Nations Public Service Award in the category of "Improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the Public Service" for "Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative". Your outstanding achievement has demonstrated excellence in serving the public interest and I am sure it has made a significant contribution to the improvement of public administration in your country. It should be an inspiration and encouragement for others working for the public service."

The governmental entities from 14 countries - Azerbaijan, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Singapore, India, Kenya, Morocco, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Chile, South Africa - are the 2007 award winners.

The Awards Ceremony for the 2007 United Nations Public Service Awards will be celebrated at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, during the 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government which will be held from 26 to 29 June 2007. The UN Secretary General is expected to present UN Awards Trophy to the winners personally. 12 heads of states are to attend the ceremony.