Head of the UN in the General Assembly. A more effective UN: Secretary General presented proposals for reform of the organization UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented a package of proposals aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the Organization and improving coordination in three key areas – peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.
Speaking at the General Assembly meeting on the reform of the Organization (the UN 80 initiative), Guterres emphasized the need for structural changes and programmatic review throughout the UN system. “My vision for the UN system is clear: structures must work as one to achieve better results, overcoming fragmentation, eliminating duplication of functions, improving funding models and strengthening synergies,” said the Secretary-General. He noted that the UN needs a more coherent, flexible and cost-effective approach “to ensure that the resources entrusted to us provide maximum benefit to the people for whom we we exist.”
New team to implement reforms
As part of the reforms, Guterres announced the creation of a special team for the implementation of the UN-80 initiative, which will submit proposals to intergovernmental bodies and implement them within the authority of the Secretary-General. “Final direction initiatives “UN-80” depends on you – member states of the United Nations,” – Guterres addressed the representatives countries. The UN-80 initiative, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the organization, is aimed at optimizing the work of the Organization, increasing its effectiveness and confirming the relevance of the UN mission in a rapidly changing world.
Three directions reforms
Improving the effectiveness of the UN is the third of three pillars created to guide the reform process. The first pillar focuses on modernizing management processes and increasing the efficiency of the Secretariat and the entire UN system – including through the consolidation of administrative platforms, the transfer a number of offices in more economical regions and reducing real estate costs while maintaining key programs. The first proposals are already included in the revised budget estimates for 2026, which are being considered by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Decisions are expected by December 2025. The second track is the review of the full life cycle of UN mandates to improve coherence, accountability and effectiveness. Relevant recommendations are being considered by an informal working group of the General Assembly co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand. The stage of its study will also last until the end of 2025.
Changes in structure and approaches
The UN chief’s proposals include consolidation and restructuring of peace and security teams at headquarters in New York, as well as the transformation of special political missions in Yemen, Cyprus and Central Africa. Also being considered a possible merger between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which Guterres said would “create a stronger engine of sustainable development with greater reach and capacity.” Another proposal is for the merger of UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) – to build “a single and stronger voice for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.”
“Reforms to serve people”
Before the Secretary-General delivered his report, the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Bärbock, addressed the Member States. She stressed that the reforms proposed in the report require the active participation of all countries. Calling UN reform “more than just cutting costs”, Burbock described it as “a project aimed at increasing efficiency, flexibility and the use of advanced technologies.” But she warned that, despite the complex financial situation, member states must not forget their responsibility to the people for whom the UN exists. “We cannot sacrifice the principles of this organization for the sake of “financial balance,” said Burbock.