Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 15, 2025 UN
UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented a package of proposals aimed at enhancing the Organization's effectiveness and improving coordination in three key areas: peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
Speaking at the General Assembly meeting on UN80 reform, Guterres stressed the need for structural changes and programmatic review across the UN system.
“My vision for the UN system is clear: it must work as one to achieve better results by overcoming fragmentation, eliminating duplication of functions, improving funding models and strengthening synergies,” the Secretary-General said.
He noted that the UN needs a more coordinated, flexible and cost-effective approach "to ensure that the resources entrusted to us bring maximum benefit to the people for whom we exist."
A new team to implement reforms
As part of the reforms, Guterres announced the creation of a special team to implement the UN80 initiative, which will submit proposals to intergovernmental bodies for consideration and implement them within the authority of the Secretary-General.
"The final direction of the UN80 initiative depends on you, the Member States of the United Nations," Guterres told country representatives.
The UN80 initiative, marking the organization's 80th anniversary, aims to optimize the Organization's work, increase its effectiveness, and reaffirm the relevance of the UN mission in a rapidly changing world.
Three directions of reform
Strengthening the UN's effectiveness is the third of three areas created to guide the reform process.
The first focus is on modernizing management processes and improving the efficiency of the Secretariat and the entire UN system, including by consolidating administrative platforms, relocating some offices to more cost-effective regions, and reducing real estate costs while maintaining key programs. The first proposals have already been included in the revised 2026 budget estimates, which are being considered by the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Decisions are expected by December 2025.
The second area is a review of the full life cycle of UN mandates with the aim of enhancing coherence, accountability, and effectiveness. The relevant recommendations are currently under consideration by an informal working group of the General Assembly, co-chaired by Jamaica and New Zealand. This review phase will also continue until the end of 2025.
Changes in structure and approaches
The UN chief's proposals include consolidating and restructuring peace and security teams at UN headquarters in New York, as well as transforming special political missions in Yemen, Cyprus, and Central Africa.
A possible merger of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is also being considered, which Guterres said would “create a more powerful engine for sustainable development with greater reach and potential.”
Another proposal concerns the merger of UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to form “a unified and more powerful voice for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.”
"Reforms in the name of serving the people"
Before the Secretary-General's report, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock addressed Member States. She emphasized that the reforms proposed in the report require the active participation of all countries.
Calling UN reform "more than just cost-cutting," Baerbock described it as "a project to improve efficiency, flexibility, and the use of advanced technology."
At the same time, she warned that, despite the difficult financial situation, Member States must not forget their responsibility to the people for whom the UN exists.
"We cannot sacrifice the principles of this organization for the sake of 'financial balance,'" Baerbock said.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.