AGP Executive Report

AI Skills for Public Managers: Qatar’s Civil Service and Government Development Bureau ran an “Artificial Intelligence for Project Managers” workshop with the Ministry of Information and Technology, aiming to boost data-driven planning and decision-making across government entities. Public Health Labor: England’s resident doctors suspended planned strikes after a new government offer, sending the proposal to union members for a vote. AI Export Controls: The US ordered Anthropic to disable its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models for foreign nationals worldwide over security concerns, triggering global backlash from major tech leaders. Infrastructure Push: Sri Lanka’s government signaled a major capital spending ramp-up, with nearly Rs. 2 trillion earmarked for public infrastructure next year. Local Service Delivery: Delhi’s Territorial Army joined a Yamuna River cleanup alongside state efforts across multiple ghats, while Scotland’s Aberdeenshire Council won an award for improving trade waste service via app-based alerts. Governance and Trust: Ghana’s government demanded fairness after Canada denied Thomas Partey entry, and Fiji’s National Archives flagged the lack of a local archivist training institution as a key capacity gap.

AI Governance & National Security: The US export-control order has forced Anthropic to disable its advanced Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models for all foreign nationals worldwide, after concerns about a possible “jailbreak” method—sparking backlash from tech leaders and raising questions about how far the restrictions may spread. Public Health & Service Delivery: Nairobi County, led by Governor Sakaja, has opened a fully operational 36-bed maternity wing at Pumwani Majengo Health Centre to bring safer deliveries and maternal care closer to Gikomba residents. Civic Space & Accountability: Kenya’s Inter-Religious Council, LSK and rights groups condemned a violent disruption of a public budget forum, warning that “goons” are being used to silence civic engagement. Government Pay & Transport Allowances: Pakistan merged 2022 and 2025 ad hoc relief allowances into basic pay and approved a 50% increase in conveyance allowance for public employees amid inflation. Education Funding: The Philippines Senate President Pro Tempore Gatchalian backed a P19.5B textbook budget to push a 1:1 ratio in public schools. Disaster & Infrastructure: La Guaira’s 2026 Rain Plan focuses on cleaning streams and removing debris to prevent flooding and overflows.

Public Health & Service Delivery: Venezuela’s Guárico governor deployed clinical equipment and repaired power and water systems for hospitals and community health areas across 15 municipalities, aiming to restore core care capacity. Courts & Rights: India’s Andhra Pradesh High Court said providing and maintaining public toilets is a constitutional duty tied to dignity and the right to life, rejecting a bid to stop construction. Disaster Preparedness & Alerts: India temporarily suspended its Cell Broadcast public warning service after an NDMA advisory, citing precautionary technical/procedural review before restoration. Local Democracy & Trust: South Africa’s IEC warned Nigeria-style local elections in South Africa’s context?—instead, the IEC in Botswana? (No) Here: South Africa’s IEC said upcoming local elections face the toughest pre-election climate in 30 years, driven by low trust and high risk. AI Governance & Federal Power: The US ordered Anthropic to disable its top AI models (Fable 5 and Mythos 5), showing direct government control over frontier tech access. Public Administration Reform: Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh approved a law to modernize state and municipal services, prioritizing digital delivery while keeping alternatives for non-digital users. Local Government Reorganization: Norfolk councils in the UK vowed to challenge government plans to scrap eight councils and replace them with three unitary authorities. Public Safety & Accountability: A US judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate park exhibits and signs removed from national sites, citing unlawful censorship.

Public Service & Governance: Curaçao’s Landspakket reform drive is set to speed up modernization, tax overhaul and public-sector restructuring ahead of the Netherlands deadline in April 2027, including a “Future Proof Organisation” plan to redesign ministries and a new VAT push. Digital Payments for Citizens: Sri Lanka’s mCash is integrating GovPay to let people pay traffic fines and a wide range of government fees via mobile money, expanding access to thousands of services. Local Government Costs & Service Delivery: Perth-area councils can apply for up to $100,000 to replace trees lost to shot-hole borer, while Armadale weighs a 4.8% rates rise to protect current services amid rising costs. Public Safety & Oversight: A Rhode Island judge ordered the Trump administration to resume asylum and immigration processing for 39 countries, demanding compliance steps within 24 hours. Health Pricing Transparency: Trump’s administration warned 500+ hospitals, including dozens in Kentucky and Indiana, to improve online price transparency or face fines. Security & Crime Tech: St. Vincent and the Grenadines received advanced ballistics and forensic systems to strengthen investigations into gun-related crime. Energy Sector Management: Nepal’s energy minister says the country is at the start of transforming its energy sector, with new bills and private-sector participation in electricity production and transmission in the pipeline. Democracy & Civic Life: Nigeria marks Democracy Day, while the Falkland Islands announces a public holiday for Liberation Day events. Local Democracy in Practice: Woburn’s Student Government Day lets students shadow city officials and debate a mock capital budget, reinforcing how local decisions get made.

Trade & Courts: A U.S. appeals court let the Trump administration keep collecting 10% worldwide tariffs while legal fights continue, with the temporary levy set to expire July 24. Public Finance & Accountability: U.S. HUD suspended federal funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, citing serious financial management failures and alleged misuse of taxpayer money. Local Government & Services: Canada’s GCcoworking pilot is shrinking as a Gatineau federal co-working site closes, while New Zealand councils face public input on major local government restructuring. Grants & Compliance: Nepal moved to tax locally recruited UN and diplomatic mission staff, and India’s proposed Employment Services Amendment Bill would tighten hiring document checks for employers. Housing & Planning: Environmental and heritage groups urged the UK government to “reset” planning and housing rules ahead of final NPPF decisions, warning of weaker protections. Healthcare Costs: Cayman’s government is reviewing a proposed SHIC premium hike that could affect more than 12,000 residents. Infrastructure & Waste: South Africa’s government is writing off R29bn in e-toll debt as public resistance to the failed GFIP project endures. Workforce & Local Economies: Ghana’s vehicle dealers warned Chinese auto brands are squeezing local jobs through tax and duty advantages. Cyber & Governance: A new warning from African cybersecurity experts highlights an AI governance gap at universities, with data and academic independence at risk.

AI & Government IT Modernization: IBM and ServiceNow are teaming up to bring agentic AI to legacy enterprise systems, focusing on application modernization, autonomous infrastructure operations, and stronger data governance. Public Health Regulation: The FDA warned the public against an unregistered drug product, saying there’s no assurance of quality, safety, or effectiveness, and urged local governments and law enforcement to stop distribution. Immigration Enforcement: The Trump administration flagged “super-sponsors” who took custody of multiple migrant children, signaling possible expanded scrutiny and prosecutions. Local Education & Workforce: Teachers are pushing skilled trades and tech careers, pointing to job demand from retirements and apprenticeship pipelines. Flood Preparedness & Local Governance: Moldova’s parliament speaker urged mayors and district heads to urgently unclog drainage channels and maintain local flood defenses. Disability Services Policy: Disability advocates are calling for major changes to a proposed Disability Support Services Bill, arguing it shifts care responsibilities to families and alters carer employment protections. Court & Federal Contract DEI: State officials sued over federal contractor DEI contract terms, alleging agencies acted without proper public process. Security Budget: Uganda’s 2026/27 budget sets aside Sh10.21 trillion for security, governance, and rule-of-law institutions, including UPDF modernization, border security, and crime intelligence. Public Sector Tech Reliability: A Southwest Oregon government network outage is disrupting DMV and other state services. Public Finance & Services: Nigeria declared Friday a public holiday for Democracy Day, while Moldova advanced draft 2027 fiscal and tax policy reforms through public consultation.

Workplace Safety & Accountability: India’s CITU is demanding an impartial probe into a June 8 explosion at Vizag Steel Plant that killed 9 workers and left many burned, saying the incident was driven by serious SOP failures and management responsibility. Public Participation & Governance: A Kenya-focused piece argues public participation is now central to constitutional democracy, warning courts have struck down actions where consultations were rushed, inaccessible, or ignored. Local Service Delivery Under Strain: Scotland’s Accounts Commission warns councils face a £529m daily operating gap in 2026/27, with funding not keeping up with costs and demands—raising fears of service cuts or closures. Public Sector Reform: Scotland appoints Ivan McKee as Public Service Reform Secretary, calling the job “big” amid a £4.7bn finance gap and pushing faster reform and preventative spending. Education Oversight: 73 former officials call for an independent, time-bound review of India’s NTA and CBSE testing and marking systems after NEET-UG leak fallout and alleged OSM rollout problems. Digital & Cybersecurity for Government: A US bill would restore federal support for MS-ISAC, aiming to expand free cybersecurity resources for state and local governments after funding cuts. Tech for Small Business: New Zealand announces AI-powered support funding to expand AcceleratorNZ and mentor tools for hundreds more small firms. Public Finance & Procurement: Bahamas Finance Minister Halkitis says procurement reforms are ongoing, citing certification progress and capacity-building amid public procurement criticism. Community & Transport: Coventry’s A46 Walsgrave junction upgrade will face two public information events as construction starts in September to cut congestion. Corruption Crackdown: Sri Lanka’s CIABOC reports 32 public officials arrested for bribery in the first four months of 2026.

Public Accountability & Integrity: Curaçao is pushing new integrity and oversight steps, including an Integrity Bureau and tighter complaint handling, after an Integrity Symposium highlighted past reforms like public access rules and independent oversight bodies. Courts & Energy Governance: Curaçao’s Joint Court ordered the government to act on Otium’s long-stalled solar permit, setting a new deadline and warning of a NAf 1 million penalty if it drags on. Public Service Delivery & Labor: Bangladesh’s government says it will start recruiting for vacant posts to speed up services, while Kisumu, Kenya faces health disruptions after clinical officers downed tools over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, and failure to sign a collective bargaining agreement. Infrastructure & Risk Management: Manila approved monthly earthquake simulation drills for public schools and city-run universities. Digital Safety & Trust: Malaysia reiterated plans to strengthen online safety, digital literacy, and sovereign AI capabilities, stressing platform accountability and child protection. Health & Development Funding: Bangladesh signed a $250m AIIB budget-support loan for economic management and governance, and the World Bank backed a $404m package for health and nutrition services. Local Governance & Tech Disruptions: Chelan County and Okanogan County reported major network outages after malware and a “network event,” with phone service restored in Chelan. Procurement & Oversight: Quebec’s auditor general criticized $2.2bn in battery investments for weak objectives and timelines, with some projects already stalled or abandoned. Public Finance & Debt: Eurostat data shows Romania leads the EU on the average cost of government public debt. Housing & Rights: Los Angeles housing groups sued HACLA over alleged failures to provide language assistance to limited-English tenants. Government Operations at Borders: Canada opened its first rail preclearance site at Vancouver Pacific Central Rail Station to speed U.S.-bound travel and strengthen security.

Defense & Accountability: A U.S. Army Apache crash near the Strait of Hormuz left two crew rescued, while CENTCOM hasn’t said if it was shot down or mechanical failure—another flashpoint as officials face scrutiny over mission mishaps. Child Safety & Digital ID: UK leaders push “device-level controls” to stop children from taking or sharing nude images, warning tech firms they must act or face legislation. Healthcare Pricing Transparency: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clear pricing or face up to $2M annual penalties, including multiple Philadelphia-area facilities. Public Transport Cost Relief: Labour unveiled a weekly fare cap in New Zealand—$20 in Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch and $10 elsewhere—aimed at easing cost-of-living pressure. Local Governance & Participation: Tacoma officials reviewed audits, public input, housing and safety priorities, underscoring accountability and resident involvement as growth planning continues. Public Services Under Strain: A Nottingham nursery says government childcare and wage changes make its model unsustainable and it will close. Legal & Immigration: A federal court vacated the Trump administration’s unlawful $100k H-1B petition tax, a win for employers and universities. Energy Policy: A UK thinktank says government “single buyer” electricity procurement could cut bills by nearly £200 a year.

Digital Governance & Services: Jordan’s Land Transport Regulatory Commission says it will roll out 100 electronic transport services and expand regulated intercity buses to 1,000 by 2027, aiming to digitize licensing and monitoring and improve passenger experience. Public Safety & Accountability: Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan secured approval to publish “Jennie’s Law,” creating a public register of domestic-violence judgments, with victims’ consent required before names go public. Health System Pressure: Curaçao’s former Health Minister Javier Silvania is pressing the government over hospital bed bottlenecks at CMC, warning that funding gaps at nursing and palliative providers could worsen care delays. Government IT Outsourcing: U.S. state officials in Iowa say Governor Kim Reynolds has hired private firms to run executive-branch websites and cloud IT, promising major savings while shifting day-to-day support to contractors. Fraud & Public Funds: A UK report alleges hostile states and terrorism-linked groups received £28B in public funds via loans and aid, raising new questions about how government money is allocated. Procurement & Transparency: Zambia’s Chitambo District has started a public auction of surplus government assets, citing open, rules-based disposal of obsolete property. AI as Public Resource: A U.S. summit argues AI should be treated like shared public infrastructure, pushing universities and government toward practical commitments for AI in the public good.

Public Finance & Local Contractors: Nigeria’s finance ministry approved payments to 1,240 local contractors, aiming to clear long-standing arrears and restart projects. Healthcare Governance: Ireland’s Rotunda Hospital ended a stand-off with the health ministry after agreeing to stop consultants on public-only contracts from treating private patients, to avoid funding loss under Sláintecare. Digital Rights & Youth Safety: Canada’s expected federal move to ban social media for under-16s (with exemptions) is drawing privacy and surveillance concerns. Local Service Delivery: Nepal published a Rs 424.27bn intergovernmental transfer plan for provinces and 753 local governments, including major allocations to municipalities and rural councils. Emergency Services Funding: NSW is seeking public input on changing how emergency services are funded, potentially shifting costs via a property-value-based annual charge. Environmental Governance for Growth: Oman’s Vision 2040 push is linking environmental protection to investment confidence, with a new report arguing stronger regulation and monitoring can reduce long-term risk. Civil Service Performance: Hong Kong defended a tougher civil service appraisal system after backlash, including pay increments withheld for bottom performers. Public Transport & Cities: India’s MMRDA launched a weekly public transport push in Mumbai’s business district, while Panvel stepped up monsoon flood and emergency readiness. Education Support in Conflict Zones: Israel’s Tekuma program offers up to NIS 72,000 grants to new Gaza-border teachers and psychologists to strengthen local schools through 2028.

Immigration Enforcement: The Trump administration announced it will seek to revoke citizenship for 17 U.S. citizens accused of immigration fraud, expanding its denaturalization push into what officials call the largest-ever effort. Local Accountability: In the Philippines, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto backed anti-corruption momentum after a contractor tied to a Bulacan flood-control project was arrested at the Senate. Education Support: San Juan City in the Philippines is distributing 13,000 new tablets to K-12 public school students, alongside free internet and classroom upgrades. Public Health & Services: Ireland’s Rotunda hospital agreed to stop private maternity care by consultants on public-only contracts, after ministerial pressure and funding threats. Governance & Procurement: Ghana’s Central Adoption Authority ran a nationwide training-of-trainers to speed and standardize adoption services and reduce delays. Roads, Air, and Cities: India’s Haryana and Delhi moved toward dust-free road management through scientific frameworks and road asset systems. AI for Government: The UK signed an MoU with ElevenLabs to use voice AI for accessible public services, plus £200m to help businesses adopt AI. Trade & Environment: Canada expanded market access for fish and seafood and announced new national historic designations.

Border & trade modernization: India’s Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the Land Port Management System (LPMS) on June 9, aiming to digitise land-port cargo and passenger workflows to cut delays and boost security. Public service delivery & health governance: Ireland’s Rotunda maternity hospital faces a funding showdown as the HSE demands a list of “public-only” consultants allowed to run private practice, with possible refunds at stake. Local politics & accountability: South Africa’s ANC in eThekwini says it’s targeting full control ahead of November local polls, after years of co-governance. Immigration enforcement: South Africa’s Ramaphosa says Home Affairs and law enforcement will intensify efforts to identify and deport undocumented residents, while warning against vigilante enforcement. Community services data gap (nonprofit): A US 501(c)(3) nonprofit published live, 50-state community service completion data, highlighting uneven access and barriers. Cost-of-living & tariffs: The US continues tariff refunds litigation while also imposing new tariffs, keeping pressure on importers. Mobility & climate: Guyana plans to expand public EV charging to 24 stations by year-end, adding 13 more. Local economic policy: Punjab will roll out an app-based electric bike rental with 10,000 bikes and 300 docking/charging stations.

Migration Management: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to outline the government’s plan to manage the migration crisis and illegal immigration after rising protests, with officials stressing lawful action and tighter border responses. Public Services & Waste: Davao City faces delays in garbage collection after a landfill section collapsed, raising health and sanitation worries for residents and businesses. Extractives Governance: Ghana says renewal of mining concessions will face tougher scrutiny, requiring stronger environmental, regulatory and community compliance before licences are renewed. Subnational Finance: Nigeria’s experts warn that FAAC inflows are vital for subnational governance and growth, especially where states rely on federal allocations. Tax & Revenue: MTN Nigeria reports N878.7b in taxes, levies and duties remitted in 2025, highlighting corporate contributions to public revenue. Debt & Fiscal Pressure: The Philippines reports debt service reaching about P315b in April, with amortization dominating payments. Local Service Access: Cape Town hands over a Civic Centre site for an appointment-only Home Affairs office, aiming to improve access to government services. Security & Schools: Borno parents and guardians protest the handling of the rescue of 42 abducted pupils, demanding urgent action. E-Governance at Borders: India’s Amit Shah will launch a Land Port Management System to digitise land-port operations and strengthen security and trade facilitation. Public Participation in Cities: Bangladesh’s transport minister backs accountable urban governance through public hearings, targeting waste, roads, waterlogging and civic services. AI & Public Stake: Reports say the US government is discussing taking an equity stake in OpenAI, drawing both interest and criticism. Local Elections Integrity: South Korea orders a full investigation into ballot shortages that disrupted local elections, after public outcry and NEC leadership fallout. Public Health Awareness: Bahrain’s Government Hospitals plan “Love Your Skin” awareness events with free consultations and preventive care guidance.

Public Finance Pressure: Namibia’s local councils face a looming N$162m service cut-off as ministries and big businesses miss a 5 June deadline for settling municipal bills. Public Safety & Crime: Victoria defended its machete ban after a Melbourne Flinders Street brawl led to multiple teen arrests, with government claiming weapons seizures and new laws are reducing crime. Governance Integrity: A sharp editorial attack in Israel targets the Knesset’s election of Netanyahu’s attorney as state comptroller, warning the watchdog role is being politicized. Migration & Social Stability: South Africa’s government insists there will be “no shutdown” on June 30 amid rising anti-illegal immigration protests, pointing to a new national migration approach. Local Service Delivery: Andhra Pradesh revenue staff want more manpower, infrastructure and training to improve land and electoral roll work, warning overlapping programmes could strain field delivery. Health & Compliance: Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit faces suspended federal funding after a recertification denial, with officials stressing benefits and services remain unaffected. Energy Costs: India says LPG supply costs topped Rs 1,600 per cylinder, while households pay less as government and OMCs absorb about Rs 700 under-recovery. Civic Participation: India and Nepal sign an MoU to expand multilingual AI and digital public infrastructure via BHASHINI and Kathmandu University. Community & Culture: Kenya’s government unlocks funding so KBC can broadcast the FIFA World Cup.

International Justice Push: Philippines lawmaker Leila de Lima urged President Marcos Jr. to restore the country’s membership in the ICC, arguing it would strengthen rule of law and accountability after the Duterte-era pullout. Urban Services & Environment: Bangladesh’s Mirza Fakhrul warned Dhaka is becoming unlivable as pollution worsens and public services deteriorate, calling for urgent structural reforms to restore rivers and civic systems. Legal Aid Access: Nagaland’s NSLSA ran a mini legal services camp in Niuland, with 259 beneficiaries using government schemes and support. Public Health Governance: Ireland’s Health Department demanded Rotunda Hospital clarify how it will align “public-only consultant” contracts with government policy before the minister meets the board. Local Government Discipline: Yemen’s Al-Mahwit inspected discipline in multiple government offices after Eid al-Adha, reporting high compliance and reviewing citizen service delivery. Disease Prevention Campaigns: Udupi’s deputy commissioner ordered intensified monsoon awareness on dengue and other communicable diseases, stressing cleanliness and community action. Infrastructure & Regional Planning: Assam approved a Rs 500 crore plan to develop Dibrugarh as a second capital via a dedicated capital region authority. AI & Jobs Outlook: A PwC survey found over one-third of Bangladeshi CEOs expect AI to cut junior jobs in the next three years. Delhi Enforcement: Delhi escalated crackdowns on illegal construction and encroachments, including demolitions, sealing, and notices, with a proposed third-party insurance framework for high-traffic public buildings. Public Safety & Waste: Davao City’s sanitary landfill suspension may be lifted once safety measures are confirmed after a trash slide, with DENR saying it can’t compromise public safety. Women’s Health & Dignity: Delhi’s menstrual health campaign plans pad vending machines and school education to tackle period-related stigma and health risks. E-Governance Win: Kerala High Court received a Gold Award for its district court case management system, expanding paperless case handling. Housing for Public Servants: Sierra Leone signed an MoU to support affordable housing for civil and public servants through land and tax incentives. Power Sector Partnership: FirstPower sought stronger collaboration with Anambra’s state government to improve service delivery and curb energy theft and vandalism.