UN Secretary-General’s remarks on the UN80 Initiative

Our world is facing challenges on every front.

Since the United Nations reflects that world in all its aspects, we feel it in all our work.

These are times of intense uncertainty and unpredictability. 

And yet certain truths have [never] been more clear: 

The United Nations has never been more needed. 

Our values have never been more relevant. 

And the needs have never been greater.

At the same time, we know the more the UN does together to address big challenges around the world, the less the burden on individual countries to do it alone.

The United Nations stands out as the essential one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights.

But resources are shrinking across the board – and they have been for a long time. 

For example, for at least the past seven years, the United Nations has faced a liquidity crisis because not all Member States pay in full, and many also do not pay on time.

From day one of my mandate, we embarked on an ambitious reform agenda to strengthen how we work and deliver.

To be more effective and cost-effective. 

To simplify procedures and decentralize decisions. 

To enhance transparency and accountability. 

To shift capacities to areas such as data and digital.

And, significantly, the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0 are exactly about updating the UN for the 21st century. 

These efforts are not ends in themselves. 

They are about better serving people whose very lives depend on us.   

They are about hardworking taxpayers around the world who underwrite everything we do. 

And they are about ensuring the right conditions for everyone serving under the UN flag as they undertake their critical work. 

For all these reasons, it is essential that an organizational system as complex and crucial as the United Nations – subjects itself to rigorous and regular scrutiny to assess its fitness for purpose in carrying out its goals efficiently.

And this 80th anniversary year of the United Nations is a prime moment to expand all our efforts, recognizing the need for even greater urgency and ambition. 

That is why I have informed yesterday UN Member States that I am officially launching what we call the UN80 Initiative.

I have appointed a dedicated internal Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder – and composed of principals representing the entire UN system.

The objective will be to present to Member States proposals in three areas: 

First, rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way we work.  

Second, thoroughly reviewing the implementation of all mandates given to us by Member States, which have significantly increased in recent years.   

Third, a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment in the UN System.

Under the leadership of the President of the General Assembly, I will consult closely and regularly with all Member States on the progress made, seeking guidance on the way forward and presenting concrete decisions for discussion and decision-making when appropriate.

My objective is to move as soon as possible in areas where I have the authority – and to urge Member States to consider the many decisions that rest with them. 

This goes far beyond the technical.  Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet – they are a matter of life and death for millions around the world. 

We must ensure value for money while advancing shared values. 

The need is great and the goal is clear:  an even stronger and more effective United Nations that delivers for people and is tuned to the 21st century.

And I thank you.