Since the launch of the initiative in March 2025, teams led by Secretary-General António Guterres have been working on a set of proposals, including peacekeeping operations, development, human rights protection, and humanitarian activities, as well as key areas – data, technology, and services.
"This involves efforts to increase the efficiency of the UN Secretariat, improve the processes of developing, implementing, and reviewing mandates (decisions by member states that define UN activities), as well as finding ways to enhance coherence and teamwork across the entire system," the statement said.
Deputy Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder opened the meeting by summarizing the progress of the "UN-80" initiative over the past 12 months, noting that the scale and complexity of the reforms may hinder their perception. He promised to provide clearer information and a complete overview of the process in the next report.
Eliminating Duplication of Humanitarian Efforts
Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Coordinator Tom Fletcher presented the concept of the "New Humanitarian Pact," aimed at reforming humanitarian operations that face unprecedented challenges.Key leaders of UN humanitarian agencies attended the meeting – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, and Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme Matthew Hollingworth. They shared experiences in strengthening cooperation and working as a unified team.
Catherine Russell emphasized that the system in which humanitarian agencies operate independently – with their own warehouses, transport, contracts, and logistics networks, can no longer be considered sustainable.
"When supply chains are integrated, assistance to children arrives faster. When food distribution is coordinated, fewer children suffer from malnutrition. When diplomatic efforts are coordinated, access to humanitarian aid improves," she added.
Fletcher praised the efforts of the five agencies to coordinate their work, noting that in conditions where needs are growing faster than the volume of available resources, coordinated efforts are already yielding tangible results on the ground.
"Reform is urgently needed," he said. "A reboot implies a clearer definition of priorities for saving lives, a radical increase in the efficiency of our work, and the protection of our values and principles, which are under constant pressure."
Reforming the Fragmented System of Personnel Training and Research
Personnel training and scientific research are important functions of the UN system; however, this area currently remains fragmented, leading to duplication of functions, high costs, and financial risks.UN University Rector Professor Tshilidzi Marwala and UNITAR Executive Director Michelle Gyles-McDonnough proposed reforms that involve merging separate structures and creating a coordination mechanism for more effective resource utilization.
"In such a complex organization as the UN, expertise and operational experience are often dispersed among various structures," he noted. "This platform could connect practical experience and the needs of member states with scientific priorities, translating research results into applied educational tools."
Next Steps Towards "Relevant Tasks" of the Organization
Updated information on the "UN-80" initiative is expected to be presented to civil society 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 in September, during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly, that the UN system is ready to effectively fulfill its commitments and adapt to changes.
According to Guy Ryder, this is about "the ability of the UN system to meet modern demands and fulfill its commitments" in the context of "today's challenges and tomorrow's uncertainties."
Photo on the main page is illustrative: UN / Y. Nagata (UN Headquarters building in New York).
