The Secretary for the Civil Service's Commendation Award & Civil Service Volunteer Commendation Award Presentation Ceremony was held at the Central Government Offices today, with Chief Executive John Lee in attendance to extend his congratulations to the award recipients.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today presented prizes to civil servants from various bureaus and departments with a persistent exemplary work performance and recognised civil service volunteer teams and individuals for their outstanding performance and contributions in participating in and promoting volunteer services.

This year, 100 civil servants from 39 bureaus and departments across 55 grades received the Secretary for the Civil Service's (SCS) Commendation Award. Among them, 16 have less than 20 years of service.

As for awards of the Civil Service Volunteer Commendation Scheme, six government departments received the Outstanding Volunteer Team Award, seven volunteer teams received the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award, and 435 individuals received individual awards - a nearly 30% increase compared to the last round.

Mrs Yeung congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their dedication to serving the public through their work or volunteer services, setting an excellent example for the entire civil service.

Addressing the ceremony, Mrs Yeung noted that all civil servants should take the initiative to understand the content of the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan and actively reflect on how to align their work with it and contribute to Hong Kong's alignment with the plan, thereby enabling Hong Kong to better integrate into and serve the overall national development.

She expressed confidence that civil servants would continue to uphold a strong sense of responsibility and mission, coupled with an innovative mindset, to enhance public service standards with a view to enabling Hong Kong to achieve high-quality development.

Hong Kong Observatory Senior Scientific Officer (Forecast Development) Wong Wai-kin was one of the awardees receiving the SCS's Commendation Award. He leads the team in developing AI-based technologies and applications in nowcasting.

Chief Customs Officer Wong Chi-ming also received the SCS's Commendation Award. Together with his team, he successfully handled cases involving the emerging drug etomidate, effectively intercepting both supply sources and distribution channels, demonstrating his determination to combat drug abuse and safeguard youth development.

The Electrical & Mechanical Services Department Staff Club Volunteer Services Team received the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award. The team, utilising their electrical expertise, has launched a programme in Wong Tai Sin to regularly visits elderly households in the district to replace conventional light bulbs with energy-saving LED alternatives for them. The service has reached 80 elderly households to date, with volunteers contributing more than 400 service hours.

Additionally, the Oi Kwan Volunteer Group of the Correctional Services Department was presented with the Meritorious Volunteer Service Award. Its Dog Unit Volunteer Sub-team collaborates with a non-profit animal welfare organisation, where professionally trained volunteers provide basic training in social etiquette and basic obedience to stray dogs to boost their adoption prospects.

To enhance public understanding of the achievements and dedication of award-winning civil servants to serving society, the bureau and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) have jointly produced a 10-episode, five-minute television series United to serve the community - Good stories of civil servants, and a two-episode, five-minute television programme Volunteering for the well-being of our community - Good stories of civil servants, featuring awarded outstanding civil servants, departmental volunteer teams and individuals.

The programmes will be broadcast on RTHK TV31 this month and next Month.