In his fourth Policy Address delivered today at the Legislative Council, Chief Executive John Lee announced two major institutional reforms aimed at enhancing government accountability and operational efficiency.
The first initiative is the introduction of the Heads of Department Accountability System, which formalizes the responsibility of department heads for the overall performance and management of their teams. While heads have always been responsible for their departments' work, this new system institutionalizes that accountability. They will be expected to lead senior civil servants in staff management and system operations, with a clear focus on building strong leadership teams and improving internal governance.
Lee emphasized the importance of effective leadership in maintaining public trust, noting that isolated problems in individual departments should not undermine the performance of the wider civil service, which was recently ranked second globally in government efficiency.
The second reform focuses on the use of technology to improve service delivery. A new AI Efficacy Enhancement Team will be established to coordinate the adoption of artificial intelligence across government departments. The team will support departments in applying AI to streamline workflows, improve service response times, and modernize internal processes. It will be led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with participation from innovation and digital policy leaders, as well as a private sector representative to inject market insights and practical expertise.
These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to building a more accountable, tech-enabled, and forward-looking administration, ensuring Hong Kong remains efficient, responsive, and ready for the future.
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