The Secretary-General on Wednesday outlined a set ofproposalsto strengthen the UNs effectiveness and improve coordination across its three core pillars: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights
The Secretary-General shared a progress report on Thursday on structural reforms and programme realignments under the UN80 Initiative, setting out proposals to make the United Nations more cont, effective and better equipped to respond to global challenges
Addressing the General Assembly, Antnio Guterres briefed Member States on the structural reforms and programme realignments that are needed across the UN System to make it fully fit for todays challenges
My vision for the United Nations system is clear:Entities that work together as one, to deliver better overcoming fragmentation, eliminating duplication, improving funding models, and maximizing synergies, the Secretary-General said
For the people we serve
He stressed the need for a more streamlined, collaborative, and cost-effective approach,ensuring that resources entrusted to us deliver maximum impact for the people we serve
As part of the reform drive, Mr Guterres announced the creation of a dedicated UN80 implementation team to advance reform proposals, either by bringing them to decision-making intergovernmental bodies or moving forward unilaterally w it is within his authority
The ultimate direction of the UN80 Initiative rests with you, the Member States of the United Nations, Mr Guterres emphasised
The briefing is part of theUN80 Initiative, which aims to streamline operations, sharpen impact, and reaffirm the UNs relevance in a rapidly changing world
This is the third of three workstreams created to guide the reform process
Workstream 1 focuses on modernising business operations and improving efficiency across the Secretariat and the UN System -including through consolidated administrative platforms, relocations to lower-cost duty stations, and reduced real estate costs-while safeguarding core programme delivery
Initial proposals included in therevised estimates for the 2026 budget, are now before the General Assemblys Fifth Committee, with decisions expected by December this year
Workstream 2 examines the full lifecycle of mandates to strengthen conce, accountability, and impact
Itsinitial recommendationsare under consideration by anInformal Ad Hoc Working Groupof the General Assembly, co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand, which is leading adiscovery phasethrough the end of 2025
Shifting paradigms
Among theover 70 proposalsincluded in thefirst progress reportfor workstream 3 is the plan to consolidate and reconfigure peace and security teams at Headquarters in New York, as well as special political missions in Yemen, Cyprus and Central Africa
Other potential reforms include a merger between the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), a move Mr Guterres said would create a stronger engine for sustainable development, with greater reach and scale
He also pointed to the possibility of mergingUN Womenand the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to form a unified and more powerful voice on gender equality and the rights of women and girls]
More than a cost-cutting exercise
Ahead of his briefing, Member States heard from Annalena Baerbock, thePresident of the General Assembly, who echoed the need for Member States to engage on the reform proposals set forth in the Secretary-Generals report
Calling itmore than a cost-cutting exercise, she summarized the UN80 Initiative as being aboutefficiency, agility, and the ability to leverage state-of-the-art technologies
She also stressed that while Member States cannot ignore the precarious fiscal situation, they have a responsibility to the people which the United Nations serves
We cannot sacrifice the principles of this institution in the name of the bottom line, Ms Baerbock said
