UN Secretary-General Urges Enhanced Reforms Ahead of General Assembly
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.