{"id":35795,"date":"2026-05-29T13:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/?post_type=news&#038;p=35795"},"modified":"2026-05-29T13:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:09:26","slug":"un-outlines-progress-in-major-reform-initiative-to-strengthen-multilateral-system","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/un-outlines-progress-in-major-reform-initiative-to-strengthen-multilateral-system\/","title":{"rendered":"UN outlines progress in major reform initiative to strengthen multilateral system"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Addressing the UN General Assembly, Guterres said reform is necessary in the current global environment, warning that failing to act would worsen humanitarian and geopolitical challenges. The initiative, known as the UN80 programme, was launched in March 2025 to improve how the UN operates and delivers on its mandates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guterres described the initiative as a structural shift in how the organisation works, with a focus on improving efficiency, accountability and coordination across its systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to a progress update, efforts are underway to streamline operations within the UN Secretariat and across the system. These include reducing duplication, improving coordination between departments and simplifying administrative processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The initiative is also examining structural changes, including the possibility of merging certain UN bodies to enhance coherence and efficiency. These proposals aim to ensure that resources are used more effectively and that support to member states is delivered more quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Measures already implemented include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A 21% reduction in Secretariat posts for 2026, while limiting the impact on staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Consolidation of 10 payroll centres into a single unit<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Merging 11 Secretariat teams into a common administrative platform serving about <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">6 000<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> personnel<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Relocation of 220 Secretariat posts from high\u2011cost locations, with approximately <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1 900<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> additional relocations across the wider UN system<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A digital services hub has also been established in Valencia, Spain, to support system\u2011wide operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A key component of the reform initiative involves reviewing the mandates given to the UN by member states. With thousands of mandates guiding operations, the review aims to ensure they remain relevant, aligned with available resources and focused on measurable outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The process also seeks to reduce reporting burdens and improve transparency in how programmes are implemented.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The UN80 initiative emphasises closer collaboration across the organisation\u2019s core areas, including peace and security, development and human rights. This includes reducing fragmentation and strengthening coordination mechanisms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New tools being introduced include shared data platforms, enhanced technology systems and a unified approach to administrative services. A Human Rights Group has also been established to improve coordination across related activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Reforms are also being <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">applied<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> at country level, with efforts to reconfigure UN country teams and improve support to member states through regional structures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The initiative includes changes to humanitarian operations, with a pilot programme integrating supply chains across five crisis settings: Afghanistan, Haiti, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia and Sudan. These supply chains account for a significant share of humanitarian spending.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A review of UN peace operations is also expected, with recommendations <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">aimed at creating<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a more flexible and responsive system for managing global security challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While progress has been made, Guterres emphasised that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">key decisions on structural changes will be taken by member states<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. He said sustained engagement will be required to move reforms forward and ensure their effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Guterres described the initiative as ongoing, noting that different elements of the reform programme are expected to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">come together<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> into a unified framework <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">aimed at delivering<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> more coordinated and impactful results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8211;UN\/ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":35796,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[26],"class_list":["post-35795","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"United Nations (UN) Secretary\u2011General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has outlined progress in a wide\u2011ranging reform programme aimed at improving the organisation\u2019s effectiveness and responsiveness to global challenges.","published_date":"","news_description":"United Nations (UN) Secretary\u2011General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has outlined progress in a wide\u2011ranging reform programme aimed at improving the organisation\u2019s effectiveness and responsiveness to global challenges.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/35795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/35795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35797,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/35795\/revisions\/35797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=35795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}