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Women’s Network news round-up: New Zealand public sector pay equity U-turn, and more
Here’s our round-up of women-focused and gender equality news from the last few weeks, including responses from France, Belgium, Sweden and Spain to attempts by the US Department of State to get foreign companies and municipal authorities to drop diversity and inclusion initiatives. You’ll also find news on the New Zealand government’s decision to cancel…
Money talks: Integrating climate action and government budgeting focuses minds, say European leaders
During a recent Global Government Forum webinar, senior representatives from Sweden, Estonia and the European Commission discussed attracting green investment and how sustainability can be embedded in government spending decisions. COP26 was a pivotal moment for green economic policy. In 2021, the introduction of Finance Day to the conference agenda, equating financial decisions with green…
Europe ‘unprepared’ for climate risks, AI threats to climate change, greening public spending, and more
Welcome to a new Global Government Forum newsletter looking at how governments around the world are working to achieve greater sustainability and meet climate targets at a time when this has never been more critical. We hope you enjoy this first edition, and please look out for more leading analysis of the work of governments…
Responsive Government Survey reveals impact of era of permacrisis
Public servants around the world are less confident in their governments’ ability to respond to change than they were in 2021, according to exclusive Global Government Forum research that reveals the impact of the era of ‘permacrisis’ on officials. The second Responsive Government Survey found significant falls in how public servants rate their department or…
Find out how Nordic governments are creating a ‘living lab’ for innovation
Data is integral to the work of governments in the 21st century. Administrations around the world are using data from a range of sources, including anonymised and aggregated payments information, to help deliver better services for businesses and citizens. One leading example of how public sector organisations are working to make the most of data…
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…
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…
‘We have a totally different management style’: what makes Sweden the world’s most responsive government?
Sweden came out at the top of a whole host of rankings in the Responsive Government Survey 2021, conducted by Global Government Forum and PA Consulting. Richard Johnstone takes a look at the data to find out what the lessons might be Sweden stands out as the world’s most responsive government, according to the responses…
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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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