The term "public authority" refers to any body or organization that is responsible for performing a governmental function, exercising a power conferred by law or fulfilling an obligation on behalf of the state. This can include entities such as government departments and agencies, local authorities, public corporations, statutory bodies, regulatory commissions, and other organizations that are established to perform specific functions in relation to the governance of a country. In essence, any entity or organization that is responsible for making decisions on behalf of society at large can be considered as a "public authority".