A record number of 16 civil servants of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have been recommended by the central government this year to take up two-year positions at the United Nations.

At a ceremony on Tuesday, officials from the central and HKSAR governments urged the officers to tell the good stories of Hong Kong and the nation on the world stage and transform their experiences into innovative ideas and momentum for the SAR’s socio-economic growth after completing their mission.

The 16 young officers – the third such batch recommended by the country -- will join the United Nations Junior Professional Officer program to serve two-year terms at various UN posts.

At the ceremony held at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said young public servants sent by Hong Kong to international organizations bring the city’s professional strengths and practical experience to a number of key areas.  

They represent the SAR’s contributions to helping the nation fulfill its commitments as a leading nation in working with the global community to address the challenges of the times, he said.

Lee said civil servants joining the world body as Chinese personnel serve as ambassadors of the HKSAR story and bear witness to the successful practice of “one country, two systems”.

He hope they’ll share Hong Kong’s true, positive story with colleagues from around the world, and return home with a broader global vision, richer experience in global governance, and an expanded international network.

Lee said the HKSAR government will release its first five-year plan on Sept 16 to align fully with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). The plan outlines a blueprint for Hong Kong’s economic and social development over the next five years, strengthens mechanisms for the city to play a greater role in the country’s opening-up, and leverages its critical role as a window for mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations.

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Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, said recommending young Hong Kong public servants for posts within the UN is a key initiative by the central government to leverage the institutional strengths of “one country, two systems” and support the city’s youngsters in developing their talent on a broader stage.

He said the arrangement highlights the SAR’s unique advantages, emphasizing that its young people, who are proficient in two written and three spoken languages and rooted in both Chinese and Western cultures,   possess distinct strengths in professional competence and global perspective that make them valuable assets for the country’s involvement in global governance.

Cui noted that as profound global changes accelerate and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, the UN requires more talent capable of tackling global challenges and pioneering governance in new domains. Hong Kong possesses unique advantages across various fields such as finance, intellectual property, anti-corruption work, and meteorology, and is well-equipped to contribute even greater strength to global governance.

The HKSAR government sent five and 12 young public officers to join the UN’s JPO program in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Nearly half of them received the UN’s proactive request to extend their tenures.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com