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Scoop
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN80 Initiative: What It Is – And Why It Matters To The World
23 June 2025 The UN80 Initiative, unveiled in March by Secretary-General António Guterres, is a system-wide push to streamline operations, sharpen impact, and reaffirm the UN's relevance for a rapidly changing world. 'This is a good time to take a look at ourselves and see how fit for purpose we are in a set of circumstances which, let's be honest, are quite challenging for multilateralism and for the UN,' says Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy and chair of the UN80 Task Force. Known as the UN80 Initiative, this process seeks not only to improve efficiency, but also to reassert the value of multilateralism at a time when trust is low and needs are high. It aims to reinforce the UN's capacity to respond to today's global challenges – ranging from conflict, displacement, and inequality to climate shocks and rapid technological change – while also responding to external pressures such as shrinking budgets and growing political divisions in the multilateral space. 'We will come out of this with a stronger, fit-for-purpose UN, ready for the challenges the future will undoubtedly bring us,' explains Mr. Ryder. Three tracks of reform At the heart of UN80 are three major workstreams. The first is focused on improving internal efficiency and effectiveness, cutting red tape, and optimizing the UN's global footprint by relocating some functions to lower-cost duty stations. Mr. Ryder notes that burdensome administrative procedures and duplications are being targeted. 'We want to see what we can do better. We want to look at those areas where we think we can improve efficiencies and strip out unnecessary bureaucratic processes,' he outlines. The second workstream is a mandate implementation review, which involves examining nearly 4,000 mandate documents underpinning the UN Secretariat's work. A mandate refers to a task or responsibility assigned to the organisation by the Member States, usually through resolutions adopted by UN organs such as the General Assembly or the Security Council. These mandates guide what the UN does – from peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid to human rights and environmental action. Over the decades, at least 40,000 mandates have accumulated, sometimes overlapping or becoming outdated, which is why reviewing them is a key part of the UN80 initiative . 'Let's take a look at them,' Mr. Ryder says. 'Let's see where there may be duplication, where we can prioritise and de-prioritise, and find redundancies.' But reviewing this mountain of mandates is not new. 'We've tried this exercise before. We had a look at these bulky mandates back in 2006. It didn't work very well.' Mr. Ryder reflects. This time, however, the process is favoured by one key factor. 'This time, we've got the data and analytical capacities. We're applying artificial intelligence techniques to provide much more and better organised information to Member States – a more compelling case that could drive, I think, a productive process.' He emphasises that the responsibility for deciding what to retain, revise, or discontinue rests squarely with the Member States. 'These mandates belong to Member States. They created them, and only they can evaluate them. We can look at the evidence, we can put that to Member States, but eventually they are the decision-makers on mandates and on very much else that the UN80 initiative brings.' The third stream explores whether structural changes and programme realignment are needed across the UN System. 'Eventually, we might want to look at the architecture of the United Nations system, which has become quite elaborate and complicated,' Mr. Ryder adds. Proposals are also likely to emerge from the mandate implementation review. A task force and a system-wide lens To tackle reform across such a complex system, the Secretary-General established seven thematic clusters under the UN80 Task Force; each coordinated by senior UN leaders from across the system. These cover peace and security, humanitarian action, development (Secretariat and UN system), human rights, training and research, and specialised agencies. 'It's important to say that at a moment when the system is under pressure, the system is responding as a system,' the UN80 Taskforce chair notes. 'This is not just New York, not just the Secretariat. It is system-wide.' Each cluster is expected to produce proposals to improve coordination, reduce fragmentation, and realign functions where needed. Several clusters have already submitted initial ideas. A broader set of proposals will follow in July. Reform, not retrenchment Attention around the UN80 Initiative has largely focused on proposed budget cuts and staff reductions, raising concerns that it is mainly a cost-saving exercise. Mr. Ryder underscores that this view misses the bigger picture. 'Yes, we do face financial challenges. No need to avert our eyes from that. But this is not a cost-cutting, downsizing exercise. We want to make the UN stronger,' he says. Still, the financial pressures across the system are undeniable. A revised programme budget for 2026, due in September, is expected to include significant reductions in funding and posts for Secretariat entities — a consequence of persistent cash flow constraints linked to delayed and incomplete contributions from Member States. 'The UN80 Initiative wants to improve the impact and effect of multilateralism and the UN,' Mr. Ryder explained. 'Now, that does not mean - we wish it were otherwise - that we do not have to take a look at our budget and our resources in different parts of the system.' 'Organisations have faced some wrenching decisions, and this is happening every day. That's the reality of our circumstances,' he adds. Mr. Ryder contends that financial sustainability and mission impact are not mutually exclusive – but must be pursued in tandem. 'We have to reconcile the two objectives of making ourselves financially sustainable in the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in, but also be attentive, as always, to the impact that we have in delivering on our responsibilities under the Charter,' he said. Why UN80 matters to people everywhere Rather than mere bureaucratic reform, UN80 is ultimately about people, those who rely on the UN's support during crisis, conflict, or development challenges. 'If the UN is able to transform itself, to make improvements, sometimes through difficult decisions, that can mean those life-saving interventions reach the people we serve more effectively,' Ryder says. The UN remains the essential, one-of-a-kind meeting ground to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights for all. 'This is the United Nations taking seriously its responsibilities to the people we serve', Mr. Ryder says. Right now, the UN assists over 130 million displaced people, provides food to more than 120 million, supplies vaccines to nearly half the world's children, and supports peacekeeping, human rights, elections, and climate action across the globe. The UN's development work has helped build peaceful, stable societies. What happens next The UN80 Task Force will present its proposals to the Secretary-General, who has already indicated the first areas where outcomes are expected. A working group on efficiencies in the UN Secretariat, led by Under-Secretary-General Catherine Pollard, is expected to deliver initial proposals by the end of June. A report on the mandate implementation review will follow at the end of July. This work under the first two workstreams will help inform broader thinking around structural changes and programme realignment across the UN system. Proposals under the third workstream will be put forward to Member States in the coming months and into next year. Although the work is just beginning, Mr. Ryder believes the UN has the right tools – and a clear sense of ambition and urgency. 'We're progressing well. There's a lot of homework being done now,' he said. 'As the weeks go by, this will be shifting more and more to the Member States' space, and that's when we'll see results.' Eventually, Member States will need to decide how to act on the findings. 'They're going to have to decide what they want to do. Will they wish to set up an intergovernmental process? The Secretary-General has mentioned this as a possibility already.' Defining success So, what does success look like? 'A UN system which is able to deliver more effectively, to strengthen and consolidate trust in multilateral action,' Mr. Ryder says. 'A system which can convey to public opinion and political decision-makers that this is an organisation worth investing in. That this should be your preferred option when it comes to meeting the challenges of the future.' For the UN80 Task Force chair, it comes down to credibility, capability, and public trust – and ensuring the UN remains not just relevant, but essential. 'We should all care about this,' he says. 'If we take the view that multilateralism is the best instrument we have for meeting global challenges, then we need to make sure we renovate, refresh, and make that machinery as effective and as fit for purpose as it can possibly be.'
Egypt Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
President Sisi Participates in Meeting ahead of Int. Conference for Financing for Development
CAIRO - 3 June 2025: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated via video conference in the high-level meeting in preparation for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, scheduled to be held in Spain at the end of June 2025. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the high-level meeting aims to give political momentum for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, a major international event aimed at mobilizing funding and encouraging investment in projects that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing international cooperation in the field of financing for development, and bridging the growing development gap. President Sisi delivered a speech, during which he reviewed the pillars of Egypt's vision for enhancing international efforts to finance development. In his speech, President Sisi outlined Egypt's vision for advancing international efforts to finance development. He thanked UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his invitation to attend the meeting, which is being held to mobilize political support and build momentum ahead of the conference scheduled from June 30 to July 3, 2025. Sisi also expressed his appreciation to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for Spain's efforts in hosting the event, praising the Spanish government's preparations and close coordination with the UN Secretariat. The president noted that the FfD4 is being held at a time of serious global challenges, including rising geopolitical and security tensions, an increase in unilateral and protectionist measures, setbacks in achieving the SDGs, a widening financing gap, and the escalating consequences of climate change. He added that shifts in global trade patterns are further disrupting the world economy, with significant negative impacts on developing nations. Sisi said that the global community agreed in 2015 on the SDGs as a comprehensive framework to improve the well-being and future of people worldwide. However, he warned that the dangerous expansion of the development and financing gap in recent years could put the 2030 targets out of reach unless immediate and effective action is taken. He called for the conference to produce ambitious and tangible outcomes that reflect a shared political will to accelerate progress on the SDGs. The president outlined four key issues Egypt hopes will see progress during the conference. First, he called for the development of a roadmap to enhance access to affordable and concessional financing for developing countries. Achieving this, he said, requires addressing existing structural imbalances in the global financial system and strengthening cooperation with development partners. He added that Egypt hopes the conference will lead to practical steps to continue reforming the international financial architecture and institutions, improve existing financing mechanisms, and introduce new and innovative tools such as debt swaps. He also called for comprehensive frameworks to stimulate private sector investment and link implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda with the SDGs. Second, Sisi stressed the need to raise ambition in reforming the global debt structure, with specific, actionable steps to address the growing problem of sovereign debt in developing countries. He called for new mechanisms to sustainably manage debt in low- and middle-income countries, which are home to nearly two-thirds of the world's poor. Failure to deliver tangible outcomes in this area, he warned, could lead to a new global debt crisis and further widen the development gap. On the third issue, Sisi highlighted the importance of providing necessary technical support and building institutional and human capacities in developing countries. This includes facilitating the transfer of technology and encouraging the use of modern digital tools, such as artificial intelligence, to help those countries make optimal use of their national resources and support their development efforts. In conclusion, President Sisi emphasized that the success of the FfD4 will depend on the level of ambition reflected in its final outcome document and the inclusion of serious and well-considered measures. He underscored the need for strong political will and a spirit of solidarity and multilateral cooperation to reach fair and practical agreements on unresolved issues, in order to accelerate progress on sustainable development and meet the aspirations of people around the world for a better, more prosperous future.
Al Arabiya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
UN could cut thousands of jobs under reform plans: Internal memo
The cash-strapped United Nations could slash 20 percent of jobs—or thousands of positions—in its executive arm under ongoing reform plans, according to an internal memo seen Thursday by AFP. 'The Secretary-General has set an ambitious target, to achieve a meaningful reduction (between 15 percent and 20 percent) of the regular budget for 2026, including a reduction of 20 percent of posts, for the UN Secretariat,' UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan wrote in a message this week to dozens of department heads. The UN's budget for 2025 totals $3.7 billion. The Secretariat, one of the main bodies tasked with carrying out the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, employed about 35,000 people as of late 2023—most of them in New York, but also in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. The UN 80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in March aims to streamline operations at the world body amid budgetary constraints. Guterres recently warned of 'painful' changes ahead, including staff reductions, and did obliquely raise the specter of a 20 percent cut in staffing. The memo seen by AFP, dated May 27, asks all department heads to prepare lists of posts to eliminate by June 13, focusing on 'redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions.' 'I count on your cooperation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognized,' Ramanathan wrote. If approved by the General Assembly, which must adopt the 2026 budget, the staff cuts would go into effect on January 1, 2026 for those posts already vacant, and later for those occupied, in accordance with UN regulations. The memo says that agencies like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and UN Women—which are partially funded out of the UN's regular budget—would receive separate instructions. The UN has for years faced a chronic liquidity crisis because some member states do not pay their expected contributions in full, and others do not pay on time. The United States, the top contributor to the UN ordinary budget at 22 percent of the total, was $1.5 billion behind in its payments by the end of January, a UN spokesman said. And in 2024, China, the number two contributor at 20 percent, only paid its contribution in late December. Beyond the liquidity woes, some fear that funding will drop under US President Donald Trump. Several UN agencies have already been hit hard by deep cuts in US foreign aid.
Malay Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
UN Secretariat faces potential 20pc job cuts in sweeping 2026 budget reform
WASHINGTON, May 30 — The cash-strapped United Nations could slash 20 percent of jobs—or thousands of positions—in its executive arm under ongoing reform plans, according to an internal memo seen Thursday by AFP. 'The Secretary-General has set an ambitious target, to achieve a meaningful reduction (between 15 per cent and 20 per cent) of the regular budget for 2026, including a reduction of 20 per cent of posts, for the UN Secretariat,' UN controller Chandramouli Ramanathan wrote in a message this week to dozens of department heads. The UN's budget for 2025 totals $3.7 billion. The Secretariat, one of the main bodies tasked with carrying out the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, employed about 35,000 people as of late 2023 — most of them in New York, but also in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi. The UN 80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in March aims to streamline operations at the world body amid budgetary constraints. Guterres recently warned of 'painful' changes ahead, including staff reductions, and did obliquely raise the specter of a 20-percent cut in staffing. The memo seen by AFP, dated May 27, asks all department heads to prepare lists of posts to eliminate by June 13, focusing on 'redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions.' 'I count on your cooperation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognized,' Ramanathan wrote. If approved by the General Assembly, which must adopt the 2026 budget, the staff cuts would go into effect on January 1, 2026 for those posts already vacant, and later for those occupied, in accordance with UN regulations. The memo says that agencies like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and UN Women—which are partially funded out of the UN's regular budget—would receive separate instructions. The UN has for years faced a chronic liquidity crisis, because some member states do not pay their expected contributions in full, and others do not pay on time. The United States, the top contributor to the UN ordinary budget at 22 percent of the total, was $1.5 billion behind in its payments by the end of January, a UN spokesman said. And in 2024, China, the number two contributor at 20 percent, only paid its contribution in late December. Beyond the liquidity woes, some fear that funding will drop under US President Donald Trump. Several UN agencies have already been hit hard by deep cuts in US foreign aid. — AFP
Saba Yemen
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Lavrov: Ukraine return to impartial stance Russian condition to end conflict
Moscow - Saba: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Wednesday that the Kiev regime does not represent the people of Crimea and Southeast Asia. Ukraine. Speaking at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues, Lavrov said, according to Sputnik: "Does the Kiev regime, which waged war against its own people after the February 2014 coup, represent the people of Crimea, and did it represent Crimea and southeastern Ukraine after the coup? Of course not. As happened in the 1960s, the colonial powers in London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin, and Brussels could in no way represent the interests of the peoples of Africa, who wanted to live under governments they elected themselves, not governments imposed from abroad." The same thing happened after the coup in vast areas of the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine. Lavrov added that the West's emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity in the Ukrainian issue is unacceptable, completely disregarding the right of peoples to self-determination. He continued, saying: "We consider the West's emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity (in the Ukrainian issue) to be completely unacceptable, imposed by the West and the heads of the UN Secretariat and other international bodies, completely disregarding the right of peoples to self-determination." Lavrov emphasized that Ukraine's return to its neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-weapon-free status is one of Russia's conditions for resolving the conflict. He added, "Regarding NATO membership, let me remind you that Ukraine's status as a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear-weapon state was formally proclaimed in the country's Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1991. This commitment—the declaration of Ukraine's status as a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear-weapon state in perpetuity—is what enabled Ukraine to be recognized as an independent state by the Russian Federation and all other members of the international community. The return to these sworn promises, which the Nazi regime sought to violate and even codified in its constitution, is one of Russia's key demands, which must be met within the framework of any settlement, as expected in April 2022, during the Istanbul talks." Lavrov said it is sad that the West is content with responding to Moscow's just and legal retaliatory measures against Kyiv's terrorist attacks. He added: "I would like to draw your attention in particular to the terrorist acts committed by the Kyiv regime, which, through its own apparatus, is involved in organizing the assassinations of Russian politicians, military personnel, journalists, and public figures. This regime openly announces its plans to continue the massive bombing of civilian targets and the civilian population in the Russian Federation. It is very sad that the West is content with responding to our legal and just retaliatory measures against the Kyiv regime's terrorist attacks, which I can confirm affect civilian targets." He emphasized that Russia's retaliatory measures are limited to strikes against military targets and facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Lavrov indicated that a new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will soon be announced. He added: "During these talks, held on May 16 in Istanbul, we insisted on the abolition of all these discriminatory laws, and we will continue this emphasis in the next round of direct talks, which we will announce very soon." He added that Russia has long been ready to hold talks with Kyiv, but Ukraine has refused and has not been allowed to enter this process by its masters in Europe. Lavrov noted that Moscow is following with concern the buildup of NATO forces along the contact line with Russia, saying: "We are following with concern the buildup of NATO forces along the contact line with Russia. Incidentally, this buildup has increased significantly after Sweden and Finland, which were previously neutral, joined the alliance, and it is not clear why they are dissatisfied with their neutral status." Lavrov pointed out that the Western theory of the inevitability of a clash between the great powers does not stand up to reality, an example of which is the cooperation between Russia and China. He recalled that the West constantly promotes the theory of the inevitability of competition, and even clash, between the great powers, but this theory does not stand up to reality. He emphasized that the stability of the global order depends largely on the West ceasing to impose its own agenda. Regarding the Iranian issue, Lavrov emphasized that there is hope for reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear program, noting that the situation remains complex. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Lavrov stressed that it is not too late to take measures to de-escalate the situation between Palestine and Israel. He said, "We believe today that it is not too late to take urgent measures to de-escalate the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and to intensify efforts to create conditions for resuming the negotiation process on all final status issues, with the aim of correcting the historical injustice that has prevented the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions." Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are participating in the 13th International Meeting of High-Level Representatives Responsible for Security Issues in Moscow. The 13th International Meeting of High-Level Representatives Responsible for Security Issues will be held from May 27 to 29, 2025, at the Russia National Center, chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu. More than 129 delegations from 105 BRICS member states, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and other international organizations have confirmed their participation in the forum. The agenda of the Senior Representatives Meeting includes issues of international security cooperation, and will specifically discuss the formation of a new, more just and integrated architecture for equal and indivisible security that is compatible with modern realities. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
