UN chief António Guterres has outlined further progress in the wide-ranging UN80 Initiative, a major reform and restructuring project aimed at making the global body more effective, agile and better equipped to respond to global challenges.
On Thursday, Mr. Guterres told the General Assembly that reform is required because "inaction in the face of geopolitical turmoil would compound human suffering."
Launched in March 2025, the initiative seeks to ensure that "every mandate, dollar and decision" delivers greater impact for people and the planet, at a time of growing demands and constrained resources.
The UN chief described the project as "a paradigm shift in how the UN system organises its work and collaborates for greater impact," and declared that the project has now entered a critical new phase of decision-making and delivery.
Work already underway
A progress update released on Tuesday highlights the steps that have been taken to improve efficiency, review how mandates are implemented, and explore changes to the internal structure of the system, including the potential merger of some UN bodies.
Work to streamline operations within the UN Secretariat and beyond - including measures to reduce duplication and improve coordination - is already underway. These efforts form part of a broader push to modernise how the organisation operates.
The initiative also aims to simplify administrative processes and strengthen services across the UN system, with a focus on delivering faster and more cost-effective support to Member States.
Strengthening mandates and accountability
Another key pillar of the reform effort centres on how mandates - the tasks assigned by Member States - are designed, implemented and reviewed.
The report highlights ongoing work with national governments to improve transparency, reduce reporting burdens and better align mandates with resources and results.
With tens of thousands of mandates guiding how the UN operates, the review process is intended to ensure they remain relevant, coherent and focused on delivering measurable outcomes.
Member States central to next steps
Proposals for changes to the structure of the UN include closer alignment across departments and agencies, and stronger collaboration across the entities concerned with peace and security, development and human rights.
The initiative has identified the need for fewer silos and more integrated approaches, alongside new tools such as shared data platforms and strengthened coordination mechanisms.
However, decisions on changes to the structure of the UN rest with Member States, which will have the final say on priorities and implementation.
Describing UN80 as a "work in progress," the Secretary-General has emphasised that sustained engagement is the way to create a more coherent and effective UN system.
As the initiative continues to evolve, its different strands are expected to come together to form a unified framework delivering stronger, more coordinated action.
Progress so far
- 21 percent reduction in posts for 2026, whilst minimising impact on staff
- 11 teams merged into a common administrative platform serving 6,000 personnel in New York, with five additional duty stations to follow
- Digital Hub launched in Valencia, Spain, to support Secretariat-wide digital service delivery
- 10 payroll centres consolidated into a single team
- 220 Secretariat posts relocated from high-cost locations, plus approximately 1,900 more across the UN system
- Process of senior-level post reductions are underway, with expectations of further reductions reflected in the 2028 budget
- Pilot implementation of the New Humanitarian Compact - involving the unification of supply chains, which account for 70 percent of overall humanitarian spending - in five crisis settings (Afghanistan, Haiti, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia, and Sudan)
