Photo UN/U. Nagata UN headquarters building in New York. The UN General Assembly approved the first merger of structures within the framework of the UN-80 reform UN
The UN General Assembly approved the merger of two structures of the Organization – the UN System Staff College and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This is the first merger of structures envisaged by the UN-80 initiative, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Organization.
The corresponding draft resolution was adopted by 132 votes against four, with one abstention. Before the vote, Russia proposed to postpone the decision, but this proposal was rejected: seven states supported it, 60 voted against, 47 abstained.
In the adopted resolution, the General Assembly approved the report of the Secretary-General on the merger of the two structures and decided to transfer all existing mandates, functions, personnel, property, assets, rights and obligations of the College to UNITAR. At the same time, at the initial stage, the key educational resources of both structures and their existing geographical presence must be preserved.
Following the completion of the first phase of the transition process, UNITAR, as the successor to the UN System Staff College, will be renamed the United Nations Innovation Institute for Capacity Development and Learning. The first stage is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
Improving the effectiveness of the UN
The decision was taken as part of the UN-80 initiative, launched against the backdrop of efforts to improve the effectiveness of the Organization’s system. The corresponding resolution was approved in July 2025.
The Secretary-General is instructed to carry out the reorganization and submit a detailed report to the General Assembly at its 81st session. It should include, inter alia, the timing of the change, expected cost savings, increased efficiency, reduction of duplication of functions, transition costs and the future workforce structure.
The merger of UNITAR and the Staff College was the first merger of UN entities approved by the General Assembly under the initiative. The possibility of combining the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), as well as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, is also currently being explored. No decisions have been made on these proposals yet.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the decision of the General Assembly, calling it “an important step forward” in the implementation of the UN-80 initiative. According to him, the creation of a new unified structure will create a more effective platform for training, capacity development and institutional changes in the UN system.