Good governance is critical to long-term economic, social and environmental development. The Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate (GOV) identifies changing societal and market needs, and helps countries adapt their governmental systems and territorial polices. This involves improving government efficiency while protecting and promoting society's longer-term governance values.

GOV provides various forums where countries can exchange ideas on how to address the governance challenges they face. Two Committees -- the Public Governance Committee (PGC) and the Territorial Development Policy Committee (TDPC) -- and several specialist working groups meet regularly (see Networks ). Ad hoc expert group meetings and international symposia provide further opportunities for discussion.

GOV supports improved public sector governance through comparative data and analysis, the setting and promotion of standards, and the facilitation of transparency and peer review. It promotes understanding of the dynamics of public management and territorial development policies in different societal and market conditions, with a view to safeguarding the long-term interests of all citizens.

Policymakers, academics and practitioners worldwide can access the results of this work through the country studies, analytical reports and policy briefs available on this website.

The SIGMA programme works with new members of the European Union, Western Balkan countries, Russia and Turkey. It assesses public administration reform progress and advises on improving public governance at the central government level.

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