multilateral Articles
NEED MINI SPONSOR LOGO
COP30 president calls for ‘global NDC’ to spur collective action on climate change
The COP30 president André Aranha Corrêa do Lago has called for more coordinated global action on climate change and efforts to connect climate ambition with development opportunities. In his most recent Letter from the Presidency, Corrêa do Lago said that “despite outstanding breakthroughs and progress, we are still off track to achieve the goals of…
France launches international strategy for feminist foreign policy
The French government has adopted a new strategy that places the rights of women and girls and gender equality at the centre of its foreign policy. Its latest ‘International strategy for a feminist foreign policy’, launched in April, runs from 2025 to 2030 and makes gender equality a priority “in every field of its European…
Mass vaccination: COVID-19 protection for the many, not the few
Global rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations has raised questions over supply, inequality and logistics. Catherine Early heard panellists at a Global Government Forum webinar discuss how they have overcome the many challenges in the race against the disease and what more needs to be done It is almost a year since the first COVID-19 vaccine rollouts…
COP26 roundup: multilateral move to end oil and gas, as talks enter crucial phase
Ten national and subnational governments have announced an end to the exploration and extraction of oil and gas at the COP26 UN climate talks in Glasgow, UK. The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) is the first time governments have worked together to transition away from oil and gas production. Core signatories Costa Rica, Denmark,…
Lessons learned: policy must focus on pandemic prevention, not just preparedness
As the world looks to a future after COVID-19, experts are urging governments to concentrate on preventing viruses from spilling over into humans. But this takes cross-departmental co-ordination, bringing together the needs of people, animals and our planet. Catherine Early reports on the policy challenges and the ‘one health’ approach The word “unprecedented” has been…
The science of systems: an interview with Stephen Lucas, Canada’s health chief
The pandemic has given scientists a key role in shaping policies; but scientific methods, says Health Canada deputy minister Stephen Lucas, are just as helpful in managing systems. The former geologist tells Matt Ross how Canada’s federal and provincial officials worked together in the face of the pandemic, minimising the virus’s impact When senior civil…
Crisis response: an interview with Sir Suma Chakrabarti
Suma Chakrabarti, the former UK permanent secretary and EBRD chief, sees opportunities as well as risks amidst the COVID crisis; but western governments, he warns, are fumbling their response. Matt Ross asks his views on global leadership and civil service reform – and learns why he didn’t apply to become UK Cabinet secretary The vast…
multilateral Events, Conferences & Summits - In-Person
multilateral Webinars
multilateral Research
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)
Partnerships
Partner with us to connect with senior government leaders, policymakers, public sector professionals and the organisations shaping the future of AI in public services.
Our partnership opportunities are designed to facilitate meaningful collaboration, knowledge sharing and engagement across the public sector. Whether you are a government department, local authority, public body or industry organisation, we help you share expertise, showcase innovation and contribute to the responsible adoption of AI across public services.
Join the multilateral Community
Be part of the growing community shaping the future of AI across government and the public sector.
Sign up to receive the latest AI news, research, events, webinars and practical insights from GGF and our partners. You'll be the first to hear about new reports, conferences, networking opportunities and thought leadership from government and industry experts.
Latest News
