Beijing recommends record number of Hong Kong civil servants for UN roles

Beijing has recommended the largest-ever cohort of civil servants from Hong Kong to take on roles in United Nations agencies this year, expecting the deployments to broaden their global perspective and strengthen the city’s position as a bridge between China and the international community.

The batch of 16 officers sent under the UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme came from 13 grades and departments, including customs, police and the city’s anti-corruption agency. The number surpassed the five deployed in 2019 and 12 in 2023.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday said previous officers had excelled across fields spanning anti-drug operations, climate and resource co-ordination, trade and transport, and intellectual property protection.

“Previous batches contributed across fields, from drug enforcement to climate coordination. They earned high praise from the UN, with nearly half seeing their tenures extended at the organisation’s request,” he said.

“This affirms Hong Kong youth and strengthens our resolve to contribute to the international community.”

Lee said Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, set to be unveiled next Wednesday, would align with the national 15th five-year plan, and that dispatching young civil servants to the UN was part of the city’s effort to serve national diplomacy and meet global commitments by leveraging its professional strengths.

The UN JPO Programme provides young professionals with hands-on experience in international development and multilateral cooperation through positions funded directly by sponsoring member governments.