Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
UN80
Secretary-General Travels
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Gaza
Lebanon/Israel
Myanmar
Sudan
South Sudan
India/Pakistan
Kurdistan Workers’ Party
Ukraine
Democratic Republic of the Congo
State of Climate in Africa
Haiti
Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Beyond GDP
DESA Event
International Days
Financial Contribution
UN80
The Secretary-General briefed the Member States this morning on his UN80 initiative, telling them that, as the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary, the initiative is anchored in equipping our organization in an era of extraordinary uncertainty.
He told the Member States that the liquidity crisis we now face is not new, but today’s financial and political situation adds even greater urgency to our efforts. We must rise to this moment.
Mr. Guterres said that the UN80 Initiative is structured around three key workstreams: to rapidly identify efficiencies and improvements under current arrangements; to review the implementation of all mandates given to us by Member States; and to consider the need for structural changes and programme realignment across the UN system.
He noted that all Secretariat entities in New York and Geneva have been asked to review their functions to determine if any can be performed from existing, lower-cost locations, or may otherwise be reduced or abolished.
On mandates, he said that we have already completed an identification of all mandates reflected in the programme budget—and will soon do so for the rest of the system. The review has so far identified over 3,600 unique mandates for the Secretariat alone. After this analytical work, relevant entities and departments will be invited to identify opportunities for improvements or consolidation of efforts.
On structural reforms, the Secretary-General said that we have already got the ball rolling by soliciting the views of a number of UN senior leaders. Their initial submissions –nearly 50 in all– show a high level of ambition and creativity.
He added that we know that some of these changes will be painful for our UN family. Staff and their representatives are being consulted and heard. Our concern is to be humane and professional in dealing with any aspect of the required restructuring.
SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVELS
This afternoon the Secretary-General will be traveling to Germany to attend the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial that will kick off tomorrow, Tuesday in Berlin.
He will be joined by Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare, and Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance Catherine Pollard.
During the high-level opening ceremony tomorrow morning, the Secretary-General is scheduled to deliver remarks that will focus on the future of peacekeeping. He will underscore the importance of the work of our Blue Helmets and the sacrifices they make.
He will touch upon contributions to peacekeeping during these tough times for the financing of our work across the board.
And just to note that this meeting provides a platform for delegations to announce substantial pledges in support of closing capability gaps and adapting peace operations to better respond to existing challenges and new realities.
While there, the Secretary-General will hold bilateral meetings with German officials, including the Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, as well as other leaders and officials attending this global event. He will also have media engagements there.
Following the Ministerial meeting in Germany, the Secretary-General will be heading to Iraq for the League of Arab States Summit, which is taking place in Baghdad on 17 May.
While in Iraq, the Secretary-General will be holding meetings with Iraqi officials and leaders from the region attending the summit. He will discuss a wide range of topics and issues mainly pertaining to the region, as you can imagine.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=12%20May%202025