SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Heads of civil service from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday adopted a joint statement, pledging to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerate innovation to improve public service delivery.
The commitment was made during the 23rd ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) held here in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province.
According to the statement, the leaders emphasized that public service innovation is vital to driving broader economic resilience and political stability across the region.
To achieve these goals, they agreed to step up knowledge-sharing on good governance, digitalization, e-governance, and agile administration. These collaborations will take place through both the ACCSM and ACCSM+3 (which includes China, Japan and South Korea) platforms to boost efficiency and modernize human resources management.
The leaders also pledged to promote an inclusive environment for public sector innovation. This effort aims to elevate service quality and support the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted a commitment to advancing digital transformation. This includes upgrading digital infrastructure and enforcing the responsible, ethical use of technologies.
The leaders stressed that modernizing public services must be paired with accountability, accessibility, non-discrimination, and strict protections for personal data and privacy.
They also agreed to boost the capabilities of civil servants to drive innovation and to handle advanced technologies like AI.
Governments will focus on upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning by leveraging regional resources, including the ASEAN Resource Centers and the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutions, the statement said.
They committed to enhancing good governance, promoting public well-being, and strengthening regional resilience through cooperation, it added.
Speaking at the opening session of the 23rd ACCSM and the 8th ACCSM+3 meeting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the event aimed to foster a culture of excellence and build future-ready public sectors.
"Recognizing ASEAN's diverse development levels, our goal is to narrow the gap and ensure each country adopts new technologies, particularly AI, at a sustainable pace," he said.
He added that true governance innovation relies on strengthening institutions and human capital rather than digital tools alone.
The prime minister also thanked ASEAN's three core dialogue partners -- China, Japan, and South Korea -- for their unwavering commitment to elevating regional cooperation in innovation and digital transformation in public services.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service Hun Many said that the ACCSM has been a vital regional platform for over 40 years, driving responsive, people-centered civil service management through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
"Together, we have strengthened regional solidarity, supported efforts to narrow development gaps among member states, and contributed to building a more resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN," he said. ■
