It is indeed a big moment for Malaysia with yet another title under its belt, said newly-elected President of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM), Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Ali, who was unanimously elected as CAPAM President for the 2014-2016 term after the General Members' meeting here Saturday, said the appointment was a manifestation of the trust that the association and Commonwealth countries had on Malaysia.

"It is a big moment for us because we have also won a seat on the United Nations Security Council for two years, from Jan 1, 2015, with 187 votes out of the 192 votes cast at the UN general assembly on Thursday.

"Next, we will also be chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) next year," he told a press conference after announcing his appointment.

Ali, 59, who was appointed Chief Secretary to the Government in June 2012, joined the civil service in 1981.

He has served in various capacities including as Director-General of the Public-Private Partnership Unit in the Prime Minister's Department in 2009.

This is the second time that Malaysia becomes the CAPAM president. Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, then Chief Secretary to the Government, had held the post from 1996 to 1998.

Meanwhile, Dr Margaret Kobia, the Chair of Public Service Commission from Kenya was elected CAPAM Vice-President while Daniel Watson, the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Government of Canada is the Honorary Treasurer.

Today, the three-day CAPAM biennial conference, will begin at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Approximately 1,500 participants from 53 Commonwealth countries and international organisations such as the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will attend the conference.

The event is organised by CAPAM, in collaboration with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Themed "Public Service Transformation: A New Conversation", CAPAM 2014 is expected to be opened by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.