The UN2020 Initiative is a civil society-led effort mobilizing support for using the 75th anniversary of the United Nations as an opportunity to address the crisis in multilateralism. WFMC is providing secretariat services for an international NGO coordination group for the project.

Since January 2017, the campaign has facilitated discussions with many member states, secretariat officials and civil society on the need for a successful, adequately prepared 75th anniversary commemoration in 2020, one that includes a meaningful process of stocktaking, review and strengthening for the organization. Earlier this year General Assembly President Espinosa, appointed two excellent co-facilitators, Ambassadors Ellertsdottir (Iceland) and Gafoor (Singapore), to guide the intergovernmental discussions on modalities for the 75 th anniversary commemoration.

“Modalities” refers to things like the date, theme, secretariat roles, participation of other UN stakeholders, and level of government representation (a leaders summit is likely). Following informal consultations in March and formal General Assembly hearings April 8 and 15, a modalities resolution is expected to be finalized in May. The next phase in the process would entail discussion and negotiation of an outcome document from a 2020 Summit.

To sign up to receive regular updates, by email and videoconference, visit the UN2020 Initiative’s website.