Sixteen young public officers from Hong Kong will take up positions at the United Nations under its junior professional officer programme, the highest number since the scheme began.

The news came as the officers, the third batch from Hong Kong to join the programme, took part in a ceremony at the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the SAR on Tuesday.

They come from 12 government departments, including the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Department of Justice, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

They will serve two-year tenures at UN headquarters and offices in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi and begin departing this month.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said the SAR government will soon publish its first-ever Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, which will align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan.

He encouraged the third batch of officers to serve with three "hearts" – one for the nation, a second for Hong Kong, and a third for the world.

Lee also urged them to serve as super connectors and super value-adders linking the nation with the international community, and to tell authentic and compelling stories of the SAR on the global stage.

Hong Kong previously sent five officers in 2019 and 12 in 2023 under the same programme. The UN side has commended their performance, with some having their tenures extended.


Edited by Aaron Tam