Third Batch of HKSAR Young Public Officers to UN Reaches 16, Aiming to Broaden Horizons and Bring Expertise Home

With the support of the Central Government and the assistance of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR (OCMFA), the HKSAR Government has been participating in the UN Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme since 2019. In 2019 and 2023, 5 and 12 officers were respectively selected to take up various positions at the UN as Chinese personnel. This year, the number of young public officers from the HKSAR recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the programme has increased to 16, coming from 13 government departments. They will begin departing this month for a general two-year tenure.

A launch ceremony was held today (Sep 8) for the third batch of 16 HKSAR young public officers heading to the United Nations. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Felix Yung, Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, will be posted to the Division for Special Activities, Department of Operational Support at the UN (New York). Having seen the first batch of JPO members heading to the UN in 2019, he was deeply inspired and resolved to equip himself for the opportunity. Now that his wish has come true, he said he felt deeply honoured. He hopes to broaden his international perspective by participating in multilateral affairs at the UN and share his experience with colleagues upon his return.

Mr. Felix Yung, Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (second from left), Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Felix Yung attended a training course on foreign affairs.

Mr. Felix Yung at work

Miss Cindy Lam, Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory, will be posted to the Department of Earth Systems Data and Predictions of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva. Inspired by a colleague who had also been a JPO member and shared her experience at the WMO, she began to pay attention to relevant updates and took part in numerous forums and training courses.

Miss Cindy Lam, Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory (left), Photo by Bastille Post

Miss Cindy Lam at work

Miss Cindy Lam at work

Hoping to bring those experiences to her work at the UN, she also noted that the Hong Kong Observatory is a member of the WMO, and that the post will allow her to engage directly with WMO members, participate in the formulation of meteorological rules and standards, and bring the standards back to Hong Kong.

Mr. Danyl Wu, Senior Inspector of Police, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Danyl Wu, Senior Inspector of Police, will be posted to the Drug Control Section of the Division for Treaty Affairs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna. He said that his current work involves extensive international cooperation, through which he has come to realise the critical importance of international collaboration in counter-narcotics and other areas, and his aspiration to contribute to global governance has also grown stronger. Upon learning of the JPO programme, he submitted his application immediately and made thorough preparations, including studying UN drug-related conventions and policies.

Mr. Danyl Wu at work

Danyl hopes to bring back to Hong Kong the multilateral cooperation model and administrative practices of the UN, thereby broadening Hong Kong's international perspective in public administration and talent development.

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal

Hong Kong Customs today (September 13) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A suspected illegally imported live cat with a total estimated market value of about $25,000 was seized.

Customs officers today intercepted a 61-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point. Upon examination, a live cat was seized from his personal belongings, and he was subsequently arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.

Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Hong Kong Customs today (September 13) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A suspected illegally imported live cat with a total estimated market value of about $25,000 was seized. Photo shows the suspected illegally imported live cat seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases