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The holding of the UN Public Service Forum in Uzbekistan
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A significant step in global cooperation in the field of public service
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UN Public Service Forum to showcase Uzbekistan’s reforms
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Uzbekistan to showcase digital reforms at UN Public Service Forum
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UN Secretary-General Guterres delivers a message on the occasion of Africa Day
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“Filipinos and Koreans share a common love for family and festivals”
Says Philippines Amb. Dizon-de Vega who will return home in July
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Filipinos and Koreans share a common love for family and festivals or festivities where the family gathers together. Many of these festivities involve both the preparation of and the enjoyment of traditional food which we also share,” said Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines to Korea on May 26, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal at the Embassy of the Philippines in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Amb. Dizon-de Vega said, “There are just some differences in the way we prepare them. I often focus more on similarities between the Philippines and Korea so I notice these cultural connections and how we both like to make people feel welcome by offering them food when they visit our homes.” Amb. Dizon-de Vega who came to Korea in July 2021 is scheduled to go back to her home country at the end of July after finishing 4-year service in South Korea. She was promoted to vice foreign minister of the Philippines. Asked about what were most memorable things while working in Korea as an ambassador, the seasoned diplomat said, “The most memorable events during my four-year stint as Philippine Ambassador in Korea include the elevation of Philippines and Korea relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2024. We were also able to conclude, sign, ratify, and now implement a Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).” Commenting that nurturing a relationship founded on shared sacrifices and forward-looking in orientation is our vision for the future of Philippines-Korea relations, she said, “Likewise, we continue to be close partners in the multilateral arena in pushing for initiatives and programs on global stages.” In recognition of the ambassador’s great contribution to promoting friendship and understanding between Kora and the Philippines, and to building bridges of culture and diplomacy, Chairman-Publisher Lee Jon-young of the Diplomacy Journal presented a plaque of appreciation to Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines. The following is the full-text of the UN Journal’s interview with Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines to Korea. –Ed. Question: You came to Korea in July 2021 to serve as the Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea. What are your most memorable things while working in Korea? Answer: The most memorable events during my four-year stint as Philippine Ambassador in Korea include the elevation of Philippines and Korea relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2024. We were also able to conclude, sign, ratify, and now implement a Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). We set up new bilateral dialogue mechanisms in new areas of cooperation such as Maritime Cooperation, Science and Technology, and Fisheries, among others. Recently we also upgraded our Philippines-Korea Joint Economic Committee to a higher level of representation. We likewise commemorated 75 years of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations from March 2024 to March 2025. We also had renowned Philippine performing artists visit Korea such as the Philippine Bayanihan National Dance Troupe, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas (Philippine National Puppet Theater) as well as exhibitions of major Filipino artists and the first Philippine Pavilion at the Gwangju Biennale in 2024. In 2024, we published an English and Korean language book called “Dayo: Stories of Migration”. The many high-level exchanges of visits and our engagement with the overseas Filipino Community were likewise a source of fulfillment and memorable moments during my stint. On the lighter side, I had the opportunity to criss-cross Korea and visit many places of interest like Busan, Jeju, Jeonju, Gyeongju, Daejeon, Daegu, Changwon, Gwangu, Geoje, Cheonan, Ansan, Incheon, and many other interesting and dynamic areas of the country. Q: During your more four years of stay in South Korea, did you notice any cultural differences or special customs differences between the people of South Korea and the Philippines? A: I have always noticed that Filipinos and Koreans share a common love for family and festivals or festivities where the family gathers together. Many of these festivities involve both the preparation of and the enjoyment of traditional food which we also share. There are just some differences in the way we prepare them. I often focus more on similarities between the Philippines and Korea so I notice these cultural connections and how we both like to make people feel welcome by offering them food when they visit our homes. Q: Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea were officially formed in 1949. How has the relationship developed over time? A: The Philippines has always considered Korea as a close friend and partner with relations first forged before and during the Korean War where we fought shoulder-to-shoulder in defense of freedom and democracy. As we recall our steadfast partnership through 76 years of our respective national development paths, now is the time to strengthen our engagement as we embrace the opportunities and respond to the challenges of our time and the future. This is why we have been working very closely together to build the mechanisms and platforms for a future-oriented relationship and an ecosystem of partnership through the elevation of our bilateral relations to that of a Strategic Partnership, the recent signing, ratification and implementation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the establishment of additional bilateral mechanisms in new fields of mutual interest such as Science and Technology, Fisheries, and Maritime cooperation. Nurturing a relationship founded on shared sacrifices and forward-looking in orientation, buoyed by dynamic people-to-people exchanges is our vision for the future of Philippines-Korea relations. Likewise, we continue to be close partners in the multilateral arena in pushing for initiatives and programs on global health, the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, non-proliferation, food security, sustainability, and other matters which contribute to the peace, prosperity, and security of our region. Q: Please introduce the National Day (June 12, Independence Day) of Your Excellency's wonderful country. A: Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12 to commemorate the declaration of independence from Spain in 1898. On that date, General Emilio Aguinaldo who led the Filipino revolutionary army, declared the Philippines' independence from the window of his ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite. This act marked the end of Spanish colonial rule after the Philippine Revolution. Thereafter, the Philippines experienced foreign domination, including American rule after the Spanish-American War and the Japanese occupation during WW II, the June 12 declaration signifies the culmination of the Filipinos’ struggle for self-determination. The Philippines initially celebrated Independence Day on July 4 (the date the US recognized Philippine independence also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day), but in 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal moved the date of the celebration back to June 12, recognizing the symbolic importance of the 1898 declaration of independence. Q: What is the present volume of bilateral trade between the Philippines and Korea? Do you have any idea to boost exchanges between the two countries in the future? A: Bilateral trade volume in 2024 was US$ 14.7 billion with Korea being among the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines. In terms of the business sector, we look forward to and continue to strongly promote robust two-way trade and investments. As Korea continues to build on its strengths in manufacturing, heavy industry, innovation, green growth, and digital technology, we reiterate that the Philippines is an ideal partner for business. We share like-minded values of democracy, free trade, respect for human rights, open governance, and a rules-based order. These shared principles make for good business understanding and engagement. The Philippines has one of the most dynamic economies in Asia ending 2024 on a positive growth level of 5.6% with prospects for growth in the 5.3% to 6% level in 2025. These along with recent legislation on further opening up key sectors to foreign investments, improvements in the ease of doing business, investment incentives, and other technological and infrastructure advances merit a renewed consideration by the Korean business sector. There are sectors where Philippines-Korea partnerships could grow further such as infrastructure, energy, green technology, green transport, digitalization, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and the creative industries. The FTA which has been implemented since end December 2024 provides a mechanism for further opening up trade between our countries. Q: What tourist attractions do you want to recommend to Korean tourists? Do you have any government programs to attract foreign tourists, including Koreans, to the Philippines? A: For nearly a decade before the pandemic, Korea was the number one source of inbound international visitors to the Philippines peaking at just under 2 million visitors in 2019. We are pleased to share that Korea has regained the top spot again in the post-pandemic period. South Korea remains the Philippines’ top source market for foreign arrivals bringing in 1.6 million inbound visitors or nearly 27 percent of the total as of the end of December 2024. That means one in every four tourists in the Philippines is from Korea. We attribute this not only to the short distance and accessibility of the Philippines from Korea – we are the closest neighbor in Southeast Asia - but also the shared values, welcoming atmosphere, and friendship we provide each other. Tourism is most impactful and effective if it works both ways. We have seen Korea rise in the estimation of many Filipinos as one of their most favored travel destinations in recent years due to the growing popularity of Korean culture, content, cuisine, and products. This augurs well for our respective tourism industries and our transportation sectors as more and more travel routes are created spurred by the interest in tourism. The top tourism destinations in the Philippines for Korean visitors remain Cebu, Manila, Clark, Boracay, Bohol, and Baguio. We also note increased tourism to Palawan. All these places boost amazing leisure, beach, culinary, and nature tourism sites which many Koreans into eco-tourism, sports, adventure tourism, and diving can enjoy. We likewise look forward to more visitors discovering other destinations such as the Bicol Region and Davao which also showcase the unique heritage, culture, and cuisine of the Philippines. The Philippine Department of Tourism has been training more tourist guides and producing programs for Korean visitors and will continue to conduct promotional activities both off and online. Q: Are there any programs of your Embassy planning to hold this year? A: In the first half of 2025 we already successfully held several activities to mark the close of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea bilateral relations. Among these was the Reunion Event entitled “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit in South Korea” an activity jointly organized by the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation and the Philippine Embassy. The event honored the Korean winners of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, known as the Nobel Prize of Asia. We likewise held a Youth Mental Wellness Forum with the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation. Additional events included a Philippine coffee pop-up to celebrate Philippine Food Month and donations of Philippine books under our Books as Bridges Program to the Yongsan Public Library. For the second half of 2025, we will hold a series of events in celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, our Summer School for Multicultural Children, and performances by world renowned Philippine Choirs. We will likewise hold a panel on Philippine-Korean relations and conduct more trade and tourism related activities.
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UN Secretary-General Guterres delivers a message on the occasion of Africa Day
African Union marks Africa Day 2025 with a call for justice and unity
By UN Journal Kayla Lee | UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a message on the occasion of Africa Day on May 25, 2025. In the message, he said, “On Africa Day, we celebrate a continent rich in heritage, vibrant in diversity and remarkable in its contributions to our global community. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population and fast becoming a powerhouse in renewable energy and technological innovation. “Yet, Africa bears the scars of historic injustices. The legacies of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism still cast long shadows, and entrenched inequalities affect Africans and people of African descent to this day.” He continued to say, “This year’s theme calls for confronting these shameful legacies. I renew my call for reparatory justice that is grounded in accountability, reconciliation and equity. “The Pact for the Future, adopted in September, urges greater African representation – particularly at the Security Council – and reforms to the international financial system to support African countries with financing and debt relief. The Pact, through the Global Digital Compact, also seeks to close the digital divide and promote the responsible use of AI technologies. “At a time when barriers are being erected, Africa leads by example. The African Continental Free Trade Area promises to usher in a new era of economic integration, opening the door to jobs, growth and prosperity.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres also said, “At the same time, we must support Africa’s efforts to expand its clean-energy sector, and ensure that the minerals that are critical to the renewables revolution benefit Africans first and most. “Throughout, we will continue standing with Africa to silence the guns, tackle terrorism, and safeguard human rights for all. On this Africa Day, let us recommit to not only addressing past wrongs, but also to building a sustainable future for the people of Africa grounded in peace, dignity, and opportunity for all.” Meanwhile, the African Union commemorated Africa Day 2025 with a renewed call to justice, unity, and shared progress. Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address that reflected on Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future. This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration. “While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.” He continued: “Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.” Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strategic assets: a youthful and growing population, vast arable land, rich mineral wealth, and abundant renewable energy potential. With its population expected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa is not only the continent of the future—it is the engine of global transformation. The Chairperson also noted the resilience of African economies, with many countries achieving macroeconomic gains and even double-digit growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the dynamism of African youth and women, who are leading community transformation and innovation across the continent.
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Uzbekistan to showcase digital reforms at UN Public Service Forum
The forum will be held in Uzbekistan from June 23 to 25.
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to the UN Journal for publication. –Ed. Today, Uzbekistan is demonstrating positive progress in the field of public service reform. Initiatives focused on digitalization, transparency, and professionalism are contributing to the overall improvement in the quality of civil service delivery. It is no coincidence that the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 will be held in Uzbekistan from June 23 to 25. Beyond its primary mission, the forum will also serve as a platform to present Uzbekistan’s achievements and ongoing efforts in public administration, e-government, and digital transformation to the international community—an important milestone for the sovereign nation under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Observations show that since 2017, Uzbekistan has undertaken large-scale reforms aimed at modernizing and digitalizing the public service system. Public Service Centers (PSCs) have been established, and the “one-stop shop” principle has been introduced. By 2023, more than 13.2 million services had been delivered through these centers. Mobile public services were launched to serve citizens living in remote and rural areas. Uzbekistan’s journey in digitalizing public services can be divided into three key phases: Initial Phase (2017–2018): In 2017, the legal and institutional foundations for digital public services were established. The Unified Interactive Public Services Portal (my.gov.uz) was launched, and the “E-Government” concept was adopted. Services that were previously offered only in paper format became available online. Development Phase (2019–2022): In 2019, the Law “On E-Government” was adopted. The MyGov mobile app was developed, and electronic document circulation and digital signature systems were widely implemented. Many services were integrated, making access through PSCs more convenient for citizens. Innovative Phase (2023–2025): With the launch of the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 program in 2023, digitalization efforts entered a new stage. Solutions such as MyID, E-Imzo, the Unified Registry of Public Services, and service confirmation via QR codes have been widely adopted. Services have been integrated via APIs with various applications and web platforms. User-friendly features like personal accounts, notifications, and online tracking were introduced. Over the years, significant investments have been attracted to enhance the country’s ICT systems and digital infrastructure. As a result, by 2024, the number of users of public services reached 10.3 million. Moreover, Uzbekistan has implemented a fully digital civil service management system. The State Agency for Civil Service Development under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan introduced a unified electronic HR platform — HRM.ARGOS.UZ, which automatically forms the quantitative and qualitative composition of the civil service workforce. Thanks to this system, HR departments have been able to reallocate up to 40% of their workload toward employee development. Additional platforms include: The Unified Interactive Public Services Portal – my.gov.uz Unified identification system – id.egov.uz Civil servant assessment module – test.argos.uz Open portal for civil service vacancies – vacancy.argos.uz Civil servants’ professional development portal – ilm.argos.uz E-platform for evaluating leadership effectiveness – samaradorlik.argos.uz Business trip management system – xs.argos.uz Uzbekistan’s achievements in digitalization deserve only the highest praise. As part of the UN Forum, the “IT Potential of Uzbekistan” exhibition will highlight the country’s remarkable progress in this sphere. Additionally, the Forum—through high-level plenary sessions, practice-based workshops, and national case presentations—will provide an opportunity to showcase Uzbekistan’s experience on a global platform. Hosting this major event in the city of Samarkand stands as a clear testament to Uzbekistan’s growing international reputation. At the same time, the country’s digital reforms will be presented as a leading example in Central Asia. We view the selection of Samarkand as the host city as a reflection of the international community’s trust in Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize public administration in an open, inclusive, and innovative manner. We are ready to support this process, deepen cooperation, and strengthen the friendly relations between our nations.
- The holding of the UN Public Service Forum in Uzbekistan
- A significant step in global cooperation in the field of public service
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