By: Coalition for the UN We Need
On Monday, May 12th, UN Secretary-General Guterres briefed Member States in New York on the UN80 Initiative aimed at cutting costs, streamlining UN operations, and modernizing its approach across peace and security, development, and human rights. The President of the General Assembly opened the proceedings noting, “There will be challenging conversations and tough decisions ahead. Change is never easy, but it can be successful and very rewarding.”
In his
UN80 briefing, the Secretary-General emphasized that this is a vital opportunity to strengthen the UN and is essential for implementing the Pact for the Future and achieving the SDGs, requiring bold, collective action by Member States. The UN80 Initiative,
launched in March, focuses on three workstreams: improving operational efficiency, reviewing how over 3,600 mandates are implemented, and advancing structural reforms across the UN system. These efforts will inform the revised 2026 budget and shape proposals for 2027. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic burden—particularly on smaller Member States—and is already targeting key areas for reform like peace and security, development, and human rights.
Member States viewed UN80 as a critical opportunity to strengthen the UN and multilateralism amidst global turbulence and financial pressure. Many support enhancing efficiency, streamlining mandates, and improving delivery, particularly at the country level. They emphasized upholding the UN Charter, preserving the three pillars, and prioritizing developing countries’ needs. However, concerns remain over transparency and inclusivity, urging more consultation. Delegates warned that reforms driven solely by cost-cutting could lead to austerity, weaken institutional knowledge, and reduce support for vulnerable countries, noting that the liquidity crisis, driven by unpaid contributions, poses a serious threat.
In his closing remarks, the Secretary-General firmly stated UN80 enhances the Charter and supports the Pact and SDGs, promising to defend all three pillars of the UN against a “back to basics” approach solely focused on peace and security. He assured the process will be inclusive, Member State-driven, following the established budgetary and governing body decision-making procedures. A core goal is realigning resources away from bureaucracy towards direct support for countries. He proposed an intergovernmental process to review and eliminate outdated mandates. Most crucially, he directly attributed the liquidity crisis to Member States failing to pay dues, with the United States alone responsible for $1.5 billion in unpaid dues, stating timely payments are essential for resolution.
View UN80 Briefing Summary Report here
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