Briefing Member States in New York on Monday Mr. Guterres outlined wide-ranging effort to revamp how the UN system operates – slicing prices, streamlining operations, and modernizing its method to peace and safety, growth and human rights.
“These are instances of peril,” he mentioned, “however they’re additionally instances of profound alternative and obligation. The mission of the United Nations is extra pressing than ever.”
Three foremost aims
Launched in March, the UN80 Initiative centres on three priorities: enhancing operational effectivity, assessing how mandates – or key duties – from Member States are carried out, and exploring structural reforms throughout the UN system.
The conclusions shall be mirrored in revised estimates for the 2026 funds in September this yr, with further adjustments that require extra detailed evaluation offered in 2027.
‘Significant’ funds reductions
Mr. Guterres mentioned the adjustments are anticipated to yield “significant reductions” within the total funds. For instance, the departments for political and peacekeeping affairs may see a 20 per cent discount in employees by eliminating duplication.
This stage of discount, he mentioned, may function a benchmark throughout the UN system – whereas additionally contemplating distinctive components for every division.
Further examples embrace consolidating all counter-terrorism work inside the principle Workplace of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), ending constructing leases and relocating posts away from costly “responsibility stations” the place price of residing is excessive.
“There is perhaps fast, one-off prices concerned in relocating employees and offering potential termination packages,” he mentioned, “however by shifting posts from high-cost places, we will cut back our industrial footprint in these cities and cut back our publish and non-post prices.”
Efficiencies and upgrades
The primary workstream focuses on efficiencies and enhancements, growing a brand new mannequin that improves consolidation, seems at centralising providers, relocating to cheaper places, and increasing the usage of automation and digital platforms.
Mr. Guterres mentioned departments the UN’s headquarters in New York and Geneva have been requested to evaluate whether or not some groups could be relocated to lower-cost responsibility stations, decreased or abolished.
Reviewing mandates
The second workstream includes a evaluate of how present mandates are being carried out – not the mandates themselves, that are the purview of Member States solely.
A preliminary evaluate recognized greater than 3,600 distinctive mandates for the Secretariat alone. A full and extra detailed evaluation is now underway.
Mr. Guterres emphasised that the sheer variety of mandates – and the forms wanted to implement them – locations a selected burden on smaller Member States with restricted sources.
“Based mostly on this work, Member States could want to contemplate the chance to conduct themselves a evaluate of the mandates,” he added.
Structural change
The third workstream – targeted on structural reform – is already underway, Mr. Guterres mentioned.
Almost 50 preliminary submissions have already been obtained from senior UN officers, reflecting what Mr. Guterres described as “a excessive stage of ambition and creativity.”
Key work areas have been recognized for evaluate. These embrace peace and safety, growth, human rights, humanitarian, coaching and analysis and specialised businesses.
UN Picture/Manuel Elías
A large view of the casual assembly of the Common Meeting plenary that heard a briefing by the Secretary-Common on the UN80 Initiative.
Not a solution to liquidity disaster
Mr. Guterres additionally touched on the UN dire cashflow scenario, noting that the initiative “is just not a solution” to the months-long liquidity disaster however by being less expensive, it ought to assist restrict the impression.
“The liquidity disaster is brought on by one easy reality – the arrears,” he mentioned, including that structural reform is just not the reply to a elementary failure by some Member States to pay what they owe on time to fulfill operating prices.
Unpaid dues
In response to data offered by the UN Controller to the Common Meeting’s Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), solely $1.8 billion has been obtained towards the $3.5 billion common funds assessments for 2025 – a shortfall of round 50 per cent.
As of 30 April, unpaid assessments stood at $2.4 billion, with america owing about $1.5 billion, China ($597 million), Russia ($72 million), Saudi Arabia ($42 million), Mexico ($38 million), and Venezuela ($38 million). An extra $137 million is but to be paid by different Member States.
For the peacekeeping funds (which runs on a July-June cycle), together with prior-period arrears, the unpaid quantity totals $2.7 billion. For the Worldwide Tribunals, complete contribution excellent was $79 million as of 30 April.
Shut session
The Secretary-Common instructed Member States he could be consulting with them intently and recurrently on the money disaster and wanted reforms, in search of steering and presenting concrete proposals for international locations to behave on.
UN employees members and their representatives are being consulted and listened to, he added: “Our concern is to be humane {and professional} in coping with any side of the required restructuring.”
In conclusion, he highlighted that the UN80 Initiative is a “vital alternative” to strengthen the UN system and ship for individuals who depend upon it.
In response to the suggestion that the UN ought to concentrate on simply the one key pillar of peace and safety, he mentioned it might be mistaken to ditch growth and human rights – all three are important he underscored.
“Allow us to seize this momentum with urgency and willpower, and work collectively to construct the strongest and best United Nations for right now and tomorrow.”
