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Officials warn UK may miss climate funding pledge; Janice Charette calls for ‘wellness’ focus: policy & delivery news in brief
Global Government Forum’s digest of the news you need to know but might have missed. UK will damage global standing if it fails to meet £11.6bn climate pledge, officials warn Civil servants have reportedly warned ministers that the UK international reputation will be damaged if it fails to fulfil its pledge to provide £11.6bn (US$14.8bn)…
COP27: how finance ministries are working to net zero – but ‘missed a trick’ on COVID-19 response
Much talk at the COP27 has already touched on the centrality of finance to helping the world reach net zero and tackle the effects of climate change, with many developing countries calling on rich nations to pay for the ‘loss and damage’ they’ve suffered as a result of climate impacts, for example. This would build…
Scottish civil servants ‘could be offered four-day week’; Singapore officials set for pay rise; hunt for UN climate chief: management & workforce news in brief
Global Government Forum’s weekly digest of all the news you need to know but might have missed Scottish civil servants could be offered four-day week – in exchange for pay restraint Civil servants working for the devolved Scottish Government in the UK could participate in a pilot of a four-day working week, according to a…
Civil service cuts ‘could cost UK its global leadership on climate change’
The UK government has been warned that plans to cut civil service staff numbers could undermine the country’s leadership role on tackling climate change. Prime minister Boris Johnson announced last week that the government would aim to cut 91,000 civil service jobs in the next three years as part of efforts to “cut the cost…
Governments are failing to act fast enough on climate adaptation, warns international panel of scientists
Climate change is having widespread impacts on human health, economies and natural ecosystems, but adaptation to changes is not being prioritised, according to the latest warning from international climate scientists. Written by 270 authors and approved by 195 governments over a two-week meeting, the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) collates the…
Investing energy: what’s needed to fund the transition to a green economy?
At a Global Government Forum webinar, Mia Hunt heard panellists explore the issues around shaping public investments for a net zero world, touching on the need to consider social as well as environmental and economic impacts, private sector investment in public infrastructure projects, and the accompanying goal of digital transformation Despite the climate action commitments…
COP26 chief urges transparency from governments to make good on climate pledges
The president of COP26 Alok Sharma has urged leaders to be open and transparent on the delivery of climate commitments made at last year’s summit in Glasgow. Speaking before a select committee at the UK House of Lords this week, Sharma, who holds the post of president due to the UK presidency, said he was working…
Averting climate catastrophe: how can civil servants help deliver COP26 commitments?
Now the hubbub of COP26 delegations have left Glasgow, pledges made, and deals struck, attention has turned to what happens next. At a Global Government Forum webinar, climate experts discussed the part civil servants must play to ensure the commitments made by world leaders are followed through The UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties…
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Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
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