This includes efforts to generate efficiency within the UN Secretariat, strengthen the UN creation, implementation and review of mandates (decisions adopted by member states directing the work of the UN)and explore ways to strengthen cohesion and collective outcomes within the UN system.
The briefing on February 27 focused on proposals for streamlining humanitarian assistance and the possible merger of some UN training and research bodies.
Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, addresses the informal meeting of the General Assembly plenary to hear a briefing on the UN80 initiative.
Guy Ryder, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy, began the Friday morning briefing with an overview of the progress of the UN80 initiative over the past 12 months, and an acknowledgment that the complexity of the work has been a challenge for Member States to stay on top of.
He promised to provide clear information and a complete vision of the process in a subsequent report.
UN’s twin humanitarian efforts ‘no longer sustainable’
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency response coordinator, led a briefing on the New Humanitarian Compact, a process of reforming the organization’s humanitarian operations, which are under exceptional pressure as they try to tackle rising conflict, intensify disasters and increase pressure on international humanitarian law.
UN photo/Manuel Elias
Tom Fletcher (on screen, center), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, addresses the informal meeting of the General Assembly plenary to hear a briefing on the UN80 initiative.
Mr Fletcher was accompanied by several senior officials from the UN system (Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund; Amy Pope, Director-General of the UN Migration Agency; Barham Salih, the head of the UN Refugee Agency and Matthew Hollingworth, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme). The officials all explained how their agencies are stepping up collaboration and, in Mr. Fletcher’s words, “working as one unit.”
Ms Russell said a system in which humanitarian organizations operate parallel warehouses, fleets, contracts and logistics networks is no longer sustainable. “We are taking a real step toward meaningful coherence,” she stated. “When supply chains are integrated, children get help faster. When nutrition systems are aligned, fewer children become malnourished. When diplomacy is coordinated, access improves.”
Mr Fletcher, who praised the efforts of the five UN aid agencies to work more closely together, noted that, at a time when humanitarian needs are increasing faster than available resources, the cooperation already taking place on the ground is making a tangible difference.
“It is absolutely essential that we reform,” the humanitarian chief said, “because we know the impact of what we do. The reset is about more clearly defining our work around life-saving priorities, radical efficiency reforms in the way we deliver results, and defending our values ​​and principles, which are under constant attack.”
Fixing a fragmented training and research system
Training and research are vital functions of the UN system, but the landscape is fragmented, with overlapping functions, high costs and financial vulnerabilities.
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, the Rector of the UN University (UNU) and Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, the Executive Director of the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), described reform proposals that would include the merger of training and research bodies, and a UN system coordination mechanism aimed at more efficient use of resources.
Mr Marwala also shared ideas for an AI platform to tackle disinformation and strengthen links between research and training. “In a complex organization like the UN, expertise and operational experience are often spread across entities,” he said. “Such a platform could connect Member States’ operational expertise and needs with research priorities while translating research results into practical training tools.”
© WFP/Moses Abema
Newly displaced people line up for WFP assistance in South Kivu province, DR Congo.
Next steps towards a ‘fit for purpose’ UN
The next major update of the work of the UN80 Civil Society Initiative will take place at a town hall in late March. A high-level event is also planned together with civil society High level political forum (HLPF) in July.
The Secretary-General aims to demonstrate to Heads of State and Government before the General Assembly High-Level Week (UNGA 81) in September that the UN system is effectively meeting its responsibilities and is changing and improving with a serious level of ambition.
“What is at stake,” said Mr. Ryder, “is nothing less than whether the United Nations system can rise to this moment and meet its commitments to build a UN that is truly fit for purpose and able to respond effectively to the challenges of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow.”
Progress under the UN80 initiative can be monitored a public dashboardthat provides an overview of actions, timelines and implementation across the system.
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