NEW YORK, March 13th (AMSP/CGTN) – – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Wednesday the launch of the UN80 Initiative, a major reform to the very global organization at its 80th anniversary this year.
Speaking to the media in New York, the secretary-general highlighted the multiple crises facing the globe which have placed heightened demands on the organization.
“The United Nations has never been more needed. Our values have never been more relevant. And the needs have never been greater. At the same time, we know the more the UN does together to address big challenges around the world, the less the burden on individual countries to do it alone,” said Guterres.
He then stressed that a liquidity crisis has severely hampered the UN’s ability to effectively fulfill its mandate, given the fact that “not all member states pay in full, and many also do not pay on time”.
“It is essential that an organizational system as complex and crucial as the United Nations, subjects itself to rigorous and regular scrutiny to assess its fitness for purpose in carrying out its goals efficiently. And this 80th anniversary year of the United Nations is a prime moment to expand all our efforts, recognizing the need for even greater urgency and ambition. That is why I have informed yesterday UN member states that I am officially launching what we call the UN80 Initiative,” Guterres explained.
To address these challenges, Guterres announced the formation of a dedicated working group. This group will be tasked with proposing reforms to member states, focusing on three key areas.
“The objective will be to present to member states proposals in three areas. First, rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way we work. Second, thoroughly reviewing the implementation of all mandates given to us by member states, which have significantly increased in recent years. And third, a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and program realignment in the UN System,” said Guterres.
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