Guterres Launches UN80 Initiative for Global Reform

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced the UN80 Initiative, aimed at reforming the organization as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for structural changes due to financial difficulties, including delayed payments from member states, which hinder the UN's ability to fulfill its mandates. The initiative will focus on improving efficiency, reviewing existing mandates, and exploring deeper structural changes within the UN system, led by a task force headed by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder. Guterres noted that the UN's governance mechanisms have not evolved in line with the changing global landscape over the past eight decades, making this reform effort critical. He highlighted that the UN's budget is not merely financial but reflects the organization's role in addressing global humanitarian needs. The initiative seeks to ensure that the UN remains relevant and effective in its peacekeeping and humanitarian missions amidst ongoing global challenges.