Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, said the broader reform effort was now moving into a new phase. “We are now entering a delivery-focused phase of our work, building on the momentum generated by recent achievements“.
Launched last year, the UN80 initiative is a system-wide effort to reshape the way the United Nations works so that every mandate, dollar and decision can have a greater impact on people and the planet.
Under the UN80 Action Plan it brings together 86 actions To strengthen how the system as a whole delivers peace and security, development, human rights and humanitarian assistance, grouped into related ‘work packages’.
Mr Ryder pointed to recent progress, including the adoption by the General Assembly last week of a landmark resolution to strengthen the way UN mandates are created, implemented and reviewed, as well as the completion of more than 80 per cent of mandates. early milestones Beyond the action plan.
A consolidated report is due to be published next monthHe said, “A” will be determined Clear and comprehensive overview of where we stand on each work package, and the pathways and timelines for their completion.”
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (on screen) addresses the General Assembly’s informal meeting on the UN80 initiative.
Consolidating expertise on gender equality and reproductive health
One of the most closely watched elements of the briefing was the presentation of initial assessment of a possible merger between UNFPA And un women.
Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed The discussions were tailored to suit the rapidly changing global context. “UNFPA and UN Women have demonstrated their ability to consistently deliver results for women, girls and youth for decades, but the context is evolving and complex,” she said. “So, we know this status quo is not an option“
Preliminary findings suggest that an integrated institutional framework can bring together UN Women’s gender expertise and UNFPA’s mandate on sexual and reproductive health and rights. With the ability to strengthen coherence, expand reach, and improve delivery in more than 150 countries and territories.
Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, stressed that the question is not whether the two entities are performing, but whether the current structure is adequate to the challenges ahead.
She said, “The issue is whether … a different configuration could better equip the UN system to translate globally agreed commitments into more coherent and scalable and impactful outcomes for women, girls and youth.”
For UNFPA Executive Director Dianne Keita, the assessment pointed to both opportunity and complexity.
“A potential merger of this scale is very complex,” he said, “A phased sequencing and clear operational safeguards will be necessary to ensure continuity of delivery.”
Ultimately, officials insisted, The decision is up to the member states.
Women and girls take part in a digital literacy course supported by UNFPA in Bangui, Central African Republic.
Fixing a Fractured Digital Spine
If the merger proposal points to a structural change, then Technology Work Package Some focus on the more operational: how the UN actually works behind the scenes.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), describes a system that has invested heavily in technology and is constrained by how it is organized.
“This level of investment underlines the strategic importance of ICT, but it also underlines the opportunity to optimize how these resources are used,” he said, noting that the United Nations spends about $2.5 billion annually on digital infrastructure.
He suggested the problem was less related to structure than equipment.
“The main hurdle is not the technology itself, it’s really fragmentation…the constraints of financing and the complexity of governance,” he said.
The proposed solution aims to build a system-wide platform to enhance shared services, reduce duplication, and accelerate the use of digital and artificial intelligence tools.An effort aimed at making the United Nations more connected and ultimately more effective.
Katherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), addresses the General Assembly informal meeting on the UN80 initiative.
Creation of a single entry point for UN data
Meanwhile, under data work packageThe United Nations is developing a united nations data commonsA single public platform designed to bring together datasets and official statistics that are currently scattered across agencies.
Li Junhua, Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said the goal is simple.
“Member States need timely, reliable and easy-to-use data,” he said, noting that fragmentation made it difficult to fully utilize the UN’s vast information resources.
platform, Expected to be operational by September 2026, it will provide a single point of access, reduce duplication and make it easier to compare and apply data..
Katherine Russell, Executive Director UNICEFsaid the effort is also about building a strong foundation for how data is organized and shared.
“If we get this program right, Member States and other users will benefit from a single place to find reliable data and a stronger foundation for keeping that data reliable, usable and relevant over time,” he said.
follow progress
Progress can be tracked under the UN80 initiative a public dashboardWhich provides an overview of actions, timelines and implementation across the system.
The General Assembly continues monthly informal briefings on this initiative, with the next meeting scheduled for 29 April.
