Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Samarkand, Uzbekistan – The United Nations Public Service Forum (UNPSF 2025), one of the most prominent global platforms in the field of public administration, concluded today in Samarkand. This marks the first time such a high-level international event has been held in Central Asia.

Over the course of three days, the Forum brought together ministers and senior officials from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, along with representatives of international and regional organizations, academia, civil society, the private sector, and digital innovation leaders.

The closing ceremony was held on June 25, during which Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov delivered a keynote address.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to all participants of the United Nations Civil Service Forum 2025 for these meaningful, inspiring, and undoubtedly historic days,” the Minister stated.

He emphasized the symbolic importance of hosting the Forum in Samarkand—an ancient crossroads of civilizations—now emerging as a center for dialogue on the future of digital, inclusive, and sustainable governance.

“Throughout these days, many valuable ideas have been shared. But above all, we are united by a common goal: to make public services more open, transparent, and effective,” - Shermatov said.

A key outcome of the Forum was the adoption of the Samarkand Ministerial Declaration, a document that outlines shared commitments to innovation-driven and citizen-focused public administration.
Minister Shermatov reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to sharing its experience in digital government (GovTech), open digital platforms, e-education, and public sector capacity-building.
“We are proud that more than 1,000 delegates—including ministers, civil servants, experts, and practitioners from dozens of countries—made this Forum not only a venue for discussion, but a platform for action,” - he added.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Minister Shermatov congratulated the Georgian delegation on being selected to host the next UN Civil Service Forum in 2026.

“Let the Samarkand Declaration not remain merely a document—it must serve as a practical roadmap for advancing public service delivery globally,”  - concluded Sherzod Shermatov.