3rd batch of 16 Hong Kong officials head to UN postings

A third batch of 16 young Hong Kong public officers will depart this month to take up posts at United Nations headquarters and various overseas offices, marking the largest cohort to date.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong held a ceremony to announce the third batch of young Hong Kong public officers heading to United Nations postings.

Chief Executive John Lee and Cui Jianchun, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, attended the event.

A total of 16 Hong Kong public officers, recommended by the state to participate in the Junior Professional Officer Programme, were selected from various departments, including the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Hong Kong Observatory, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and many more.

They will depart by the end of this month to serve in different capacities, for a period of two years at the UN headquarters and offices, as Chinese personnel.

Chief Executive John Lee urged them to put what they have learnt into practice. He reminded them that their work at the United Nations is an important part of the nation's participation in global governance.

He hoped that they will serve well as a bridge for communication, and accurately integrate the nation's development concepts and policy spirit into their daily works.

Cui stated that, recommending outstanding young Hong Kong public officers to UN posts is a way for the central government to fully leverage the institutional strengths of "One Country, Two Systems."

A member of the Hong Kong Police Force, will soon be posted to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Senior inspector Danyl Wu says: "Wish that we can bring state of art efficiency of the Hong Kong civil service and an international perspective to UN to contribute."

"In return, I hope we can gain macro perspective on global governance and maybe some multilateral negotiation skills. Hope we can bring this back and contribute to the government."

Selected young public officers expressed their hope to apply their professional expertise while taking up positions at the United Nations, as well as promoting cultural exchange so that more people will come to know about Hong Kong.