UN Secretary-General Guterres stated on the 12th at the 'UN 80th Anniversary Initiative' informal meeting of the General Assembly that the United Nations will promote reforms in three major areas to reshape the future.
He said that next month marks the 80th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Charter. It is a moment for reflection and celebration, but also a moment to look to the future. How to build the most efficient United Nations? How can this organization be made more flexible, coordinated, and adaptable to meet current and future challenges? The 'UN 80th Anniversary Initiative' aims to answer these questions.
He stated that the 'UN 80th Anniversary Initiative,' launched in March this year, focuses on three major work areas: enhancing efficiency and process optimization, reviewing the implementation of mandated tasks, and potential structural reforms.
He pointed out that seven task forces for the UN 80th Anniversary have been established to promote reforms in the three major areas, enhancing the UN's ability to respond to a globally highly uncertain situation.
Guterres also mentioned the severe liquidity crisis facing the United Nations in his speech.
He noted that the liquidity crisis is caused by a simple fact, which is the member states’ arrears in dues. The 'UN 80th Anniversary Initiative' may not be the answer to solving the liquidity crisis, but improving cost-effectiveness through reforms will help limit the impact of the crisis.
He stated that the UN is expected to significantly reduce its overall budget in the coming years. Some department positions will be cut, and some roles will be transferred from high-cost areas to low-cost areas.
Guterres said that in promoting related work under the 'UN 80th Anniversary Initiative,' he will ensure that the three main pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights promote each other, maintain regional diversity of personnel, and continuously implement strategies for gender equality and the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.