Since the launch of the initiative in March 2025, teams have been working under the leadership of Secretary-General António Guterres to develop a wide range of proposals, including peacekeeping operations, human rights, humanitarian assistance and development, as well as common areas such as data, technology, and services.
"These actions are aimed at improving the work of the UN Secretariat, optimizing the processes of developing and revising mandates (decisions of member states that define the activities of the UN), as well as finding ways to enhance coherence and collaboration among all structures," the statement noted.
Guy Ryder, Deputy Secretary-General for Policy, opened the meeting with an overview of the progress of the "UN-80" initiative over the past year, emphasizing that the scale and complexity of the reforms make them difficult to understand. He promised to provide more detailed information and a complete vision in a future report.
Reducing Duplication in Humanitarian Affairs
The reform process for humanitarian operations, which are under significant pressure, was presented by Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher in the form of a "New Humanitarian Pact."Key leaders of UN humanitarian organizations also joined the discussion, including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, IOM Director General Amy Pope, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, and Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme Matthew Hollingworth. They spoke about the collaborative efforts of their organizations.
Catherine Russell emphasized that the parallel work of humanitarian agencies with their own warehouses, transport, and logistics networks no longer meets the demands of the time.
"Integrating supply chains allows for faster delivery of assistance to children. When food distribution systems work in coordination, fewer children suffer from malnutrition. Coordinating diplomatic efforts improves humanitarian access," she added.
Tom Fletcher noted that the coordinated work of five agencies is already yielding tangible results on the ground, especially in the face of rising needs and limited resources.
"Reform is necessary," he said. "A reboot implies a clear definition of priorities aimed at saving lives, radically increasing efficiency, and protecting our values and principles, which are under constant pressure."
Integrating Training and Research
Training and research play an important role in the activities of the UN; however, this area remains fragmented, leading to duplication of functions and high costs.UN University Rector Professor Tshilidzi Marwala and Executive Director of the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Michelle Gyles-McDonnough proposed reforms aimed at uniting various structures and creating a coordination mechanism for more effective use of resources.
"In such a complex organization as the UN, expertise and experience are often fragmented," he noted. "A unifying platform could connect the practical needs of member states with scientific priorities, turning research results into practical training tools."
Future Steps under "UN-80"
Updated information on the progress of the "UN-80" initiative will be presented to civil society at the end of March. A high-level event is also planned in July as part of the Political Forum.The Secretary-General intends to demonstrate to heads of state the UN system's ability to effectively fulfill its commitments during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly in September.
Guy Ryder noted that "the ability of the UN system to meet current challenges and fulfill its commitments" is a key aspect in the face of tomorrow's uncertainties.
The main page features an illustration: UN / Y. Nagata (the UN Headquarters building in New York).
