Global MPM Insight

The 10th Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting of China, Japan and Korea The central theme of the meet ing was “Innovat ion in Personnel Administration for Future Generations.” Declining birth rates and population aging, the outflow of young talents from the civil service, and the rapid digital transformation driven by the spread of artificial intelligence are shared challenges facing all three countries. While each country is seeking solutions within its own institutional and cultural context, the underlying nature of these challenges is remarkably similar. This meeting drew particular attention as, for the first time in the history of the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting, a Young Civil Servants Forum was officially organized as an affiliated event. Under the themes of public service culture innovation, strategies for attracting and retaining professional talent, and career development within organizations, young civil servants shared practical concerns and perspectives. The outcomes of their discussions were directly presented at the ministerial meeting. This marked a meaningful shift in framing personnel policy not merely as a subject of discussion, but as an agenda shaped by the voices of those directly involved. 2 Innovating Public Personnel Administration for Future Generations 3 The Symbolismof the Lantern Ceremony The commemorative video marking the 20th anniversary and the traditional lantern-lighting ceremony at the opening session symbolically encapsulated the message of the meeting. The scene in which lanterns from the three countries were lit together visually conveyed the continuity of cooperation linking the past, present, and future. It was a quiet yet powerful reminder that cooperation in public personnel administration is ultimately not defined by systems or documents, but by the history of trust built between people. A single lantern may not be able to fully illuminate the darkness, but when gathered together, they light the way. This metaphor reflects the trajectory of the past 20 years, during which the three countries have shared experiences in public personnel administration and accumulated both successes and setbacks together. 4 Commitment to the Next 20 Years The renewed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) adopted at this meeting represents not a mere formal extension, but a forward-looking declaration outlining concrete directions for cooperation over the next three years. The expansion of exchanges among young civil servants, the deepening of bilateral and multilateral collaboration, and the sharing of policy materials and joint publications all reflect initiatives undertaken with the next generation in mind. Amid the sweeping transformations driven by artificial intelligence, demographic change, and the imperative to enhance the attractiveness of public service, no single country can find solutions based solely on its own experience. As over the past 20 years, the Trilateral Network on Public Personnel Administration will continue to develop as a joint platform for preparing the future of personnel administration in each country, grounded in the strong and enduring partnership among the three nations. 5 Conclusion The 20th anniversary marks both a moment of reflection and a new starting point. The 10th Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting of China, Japan and Korea not only reviewed the achievements of the past two decades, but also set a clear course for the next twenty years. The lanterns lit together by the three countries were not merely symbolic of commemoration; they conveyed a message to future generations of civil servants. The Future of the Civil Service is Built Together, Not Alone. ” “ 72 Global MPM Insight Vol.5 73