The 2024 AAPA-EROPA-AGPA-IAPA Joint Conference, an unprecedented gathering of Asia’s major public administration organizations—the Asian Association for Public Administration (AAPA), the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), the Asian Group for Public Administration (AGPA), and the Indonesian Association for Public Administration (IAPA)—successfully concluded at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Themed “Towards World Class Bureaucracy,” the event marked a milestone in public administration, drawing over 600 participants, including a substantial international delegation.
Held from November 5-7, the conference provided a dynamic platform for discussing transformative strategies in public administration and governance across Asia. Central topics included enhancing the public sector’s efficiency, professionalism, and preparedness in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world. These discussions resonate with the recent 2024 Regional Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme, which underscores the critical need for investment in public sector workforce capabilities to maintain competitiveness and resilience.
A key highlight of the 2024 AAPA-EROPA-AGPA-IAPA Joint Conference was the active participation of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS). IIAS President, Dr. Ra'ed Ben Shams, and Director General, Dr. Sofiane Sahraoui, joined AGPA’s pre-conference Board Meeting and addressed the opening plenaries as keynote speakers. Their contributions focused on fostering stronger collaboration between IIAS and Asian public administration bodies, and exploring a deeper integration of AGPA within the IIAS network. Discussions with the Indonesian National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), the IIAS State member, furthered the prospect of hosting a major IIAS event in Indonesia in the summer of 2025, aimed at reinforcing these collaborative efforts.
The success of the 2024 AAPA-EROPA-AGPA-IAPA Joint Conference signals a strengthened foundation for cooperation in public administration across Asia, setting a new standard for global partnerships and public sector development, aligned with the IIAS mission of improving public governance research, education, and practice.
About AGPA
The Asian Group for Public Administration (AGPA) is a regional group affiliated with the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS). It aims to attract and convene institutions and organizations in the field of Public Administration in Asia through academic activities and events and to promote the development of administrative sciences in Asia.
AGPA is a flexible and light-structured network, which mainly carries out academic activities and events, with the guidance and support of IIAS and on the basis of mutual respect, consultation and voluntary participation. The Steering Committee of AGPA is responsible for setting the direction and organizing the academic exchange activities of AGPA.
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) actively participated in the 24th session of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), held in New York from 7 to 11 April 2025. This year’s session was centered on the theme "Governance and institutional perspectives on advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the SDGs."
25 April 2025
Honoring a Legacy of Excellence, Equity, and Service in Public Administration Education
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) deeply mourn the passing of Dr. Blue Wooldridge, a revered scholar, educator, and lifelong advocate of diversity, equity, and excellence in public administration.
With an academic career spanning more than five decades, Dr. Wooldridge served as Distinguished Career Professor and Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he shaped generations of public servants and scholars. He was also a dedicated leader within IASIA, notably as Project Director of Working ...
25 April 2025
Celebrating a Life of Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to the Global Public Administration Community
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and its specialized entity, the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), mourn the passing of Dr. Laila El Baradei, a pillar of integrity, academic excellence, and global citizenship in the field of public administration.
A longtime contributor to the IIAS–IASIA community, Dr. El Baradei brought insight, compassion, and rigor to her many roles. As Project Director of IASIA’s Working Group V on Gender, Diversity, and Equity, she championed inclusive governance and brought critical attention to the ...