Since the launch of the initiative in March 2025, teams led by Secretary-General António Guterres have been working on an extensive package of proposals covering areas such as peacekeeping operations, human rights, development, and humanitarian activities, as well as modern directions including data and technology.
The statement noted: "This includes efforts to improve the functioning of the UN Secretariat, strengthen the processes of developing and reviewing mandates, and seek ways to enhance coherence and collaboration across the entire system."
Deputy Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder opened the meeting by providing an overview of the progress of the "UN-80" initiative over the past year. He noted that the complexity and scale of the reforms make them difficult to understand and promised to provide clearer information in the future report.
Eliminating Duplication in Humanitarian Aid
Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, presented the "New Humanitarian Pact," which aims to reform humanitarian operations that are under significant pressure.He was joined by leaders of key UN agencies, including Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Matthew Hollingworth, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme. They discussed how their organizations are working to strengthen cooperation and collaboration.
Catherine Russell emphasized that the system in which humanitarian agencies operate independently, with their own warehouses, transportation, and logistics, is no longer viable.
She added: "Integrating supply chains allows for faster delivery of aid to children, and coordinating food distribution reduces levels of malnutrition."
Fletcher praised the efforts of the five agencies to coordinate their work, noting that in the face of growing needs, coordinated efforts are already yielding results on the ground.
He stressed: "Reform is critically necessary. A reboot implies a clear definition of priorities, improved efficiency, and the protection of our values, which are under constant pressure."
Unifying the Personnel Training and Research System
Personnel training and scientific research are important functions of the UN system; however, this area currently remains fragmented, with duplication of functions and high costs.UN University Rector Professor Tshilidzi Marwala and UNITAR Executive Director Michelle Gyles-McDonnough proposed reforms that involve unifying various structures and creating a coordination mechanism for more efficient resource utilization.
He noted: "In such a complex organization as the UN, expertise and operational experience are often scattered among various structures. Such a platform could connect practical experience with scientific priorities, turning research results into useful training tools."
Future Steps within the UN's "Relevant Tasks"
Updated information on the "UN-80" initiative will be presented to civil society representatives at the end of March. A high-level event will also take place in July as part of the Political Forum.The Secretary-General plans to demonstrate to heads of state and government during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly in September that the UN system is capable of effectively fulfilling its tasks and adapting.
As Guy Ryder noted, "our ability to meet modern challenges and fulfill commitments" will be a key point in the face of tomorrow's uncertainties.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: UN / Y. Nagata (UN Headquarters building in New York).
