[1] The Committee traces it roots back to a January 1967 meeting of experts in public administration convened by the Secretary-General in order to review the UN's program in public administration, as well as to make recommendations for the future direction of the organization in the field.

Among these recommendations the most important were: that the number of experts participating at its 16th session be maximized in order to increase geographical representation, that the Council review the status and reporting arrangements of the Group of Experts in order to reinforce their role due to the crucial importance of economic and social development issues relating to institutional and managerial development and that the UN establish appropriate mechanisms to provide the opportunity for ministers of Member States responsible for public administration to meet periodically.

It was mandated to provide expert policy advice and programmatic guidance to ECOSOC on issues relating to governance, public administration structures and processes for development.

In particular, the Committee plays a key role in helping monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

These Principles are intended to help countries build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, in the context of the 2030 Agenda.