UN Secretary-General Urges Enhanced Reforms Ahead of General Assembly

As the General Assembly session approaches, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for intensified reforms under the UN80 Initiative. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the momentum of this initiative, which aims to strengthen the United Nations as it marks its 80th anniversary. Guterres highlighted the responsibility of member states in shaping the future of the organization, ensuring it operates more effectively and responsively. The initiative has progressed through various phases, focusing on efficiency, mandate reviews, and structural realignments. The success of UN80 will ultimately depend on the choices made today by member nations, impacting how the UN serves the global community in the years to come.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 4, 2026, 14:13 IST

Call for Reform Under UN80 Initiative

File image of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres(Photo: @MakalukhabarEn/X)

United Nations, Sep 4: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged member nations to intensify their reform efforts under the UN80 Initiative during the forthcoming General Assembly session.

In a briefing to the General Assembly on Thursday, Guterres emphasized the importance of not only maintaining the momentum of UN80 but also enhancing it as they approach the 81st session. This initiative, which he initiated in March 2025, aims to reform the UN system as it celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Guterres remarked, "Eighty years ago, our predecessors established the United Nations, recognizing the need for institutions capable of addressing global challenges. It is now our duty to uphold that legacy."

He added, "Our mission is to ensure that we leave behind a United Nations that is stronger than we inherited: more cohesive in its operations, more judicious in resource utilization, and better prepared to fulfill its commitments." According to reports from a news agency, he outlined the three phases of the UN80 initiative: the initial phase focused on identifying opportunities, the second on testing these ideas and gathering evidence, and the current phase is centered on decision-making and implementation.

Guterres noted that the direction of the initiative is becoming increasingly evident across its three workstreams: enhancing efficiency within the UN Secretariat, reviewing mandate implementations, and realigning structures and programs.

He reiterated the significance of responsibility, stating, "When I introduced UN80, I highlighted the concept of responsibility. Today, I return to that theme, as it will ultimately dictate the success of this initiative."

He concluded by stating that the true evaluation of UN80 will be whether, in the years to come, the organization operates differently due to the decisions made by member states today, and whether people worldwide perceive a United Nations that is more responsive, coherent, and effective in its actions.