A strategic report titled "Future Horizons of Government Human Resources," published by the World Governments Summit (WGS), emphasises the importance for governments and institutions to adopt a comprehensive perspective on the future of human resources. This perspective anticipates major societal shifts driven by rapid technological advancements, enhancing governments’ future readiness and competitiveness.

The report, prepared in partnership with FTI Consulting, indicates that transformations in human resources requires governments to lead with a comprehensive strategic vision and provide the necessary tools for implementation across specific fields, sectors, and institutions.

Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future and Vice-Chair of the World Governments Summit, stated that proactiveness and future readiness are fundamental in supporting government development efforts across various fields. They are particularly crucial for advancing talent management and human resources systems, as they provide government decision-makers with opportunities to anticipate challenges and design future solutions that ensure the sustainable development of human resources.

She noted that the report builds on the extensive dialogues held during the 2024 WGS within the Future of Government HR Lab. The lab brought together ministers and civil service officials from many countries around the world, as well as CEOs and experts from the private sector, to anticipate future trends and changes and their impact on government human resources and to identify emerging trends and innovative solutions to address future challenges in this sector.

The report highlights emerging trends and potential interventions to shape the future of government human resources through three main priority pillars: skills development, productivity enhancement, and talent development. It cites scientific studies and successful experiences at both local and global levels.

When it comes to skills development, the report focuses on the shift from traditional institutional structures to flexible talent pools, emphasising continuous skills development to keep pace with technological advancements. It advocates for leadership development to include more comprehensive methodologies that focus on empowerment and emotional intelligence as well as discusses supportive interventions such as initiating transformations aimed at enhancing institutional leadership methods and preparing talents for the future.

Regarding productivity enhancement, the report addresses several trends, including the activation of artificial intelligence to automate tasks and improve decision-making processes, the shift from output-based performance systems to results-driven productivity indicators, and the emphasis on data analytics for operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. Some of the interventions mentioned include promoting genuine digital transformation and reviewing performance systems.

The report also explores several trends when it comes to talent development, including creating work environments enhanced with cloud computing technology to support integrated work models, focusing on improving employee experiences by increasing work-life balance, benefits, and engagement levels, and transitioning from traditional workspaces to digitally enhanced workspaces. Supportive interventions highlighted in the report include designing future workspaces and redesigning employee incentive and opportunity systems.

The report stresses the need for a flexible methodology that adopts diverse working mechanisms suited to various trends. It underscores the importance of government leadership in designing customised models that align with government work, supporting the development of effective and successful strategies. Key recommendations include encouraging the strategic role of human resources, adopting organisational agility and planning for changes, embracing innovation and experimental initiatives, prioritising goals and final outcomes, focusing on organisational work culture, and emphasising the importance of data.