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international

The un80 reform process

Interview with

United Nations Undersecretary General Mr.
Guy ryder

He is a well-known figure in international humanitarian action – as well as the system-
circles, having led the International Labour wide enablers that support delivery, including
Organization in Geneva for many years as shared services, data and technology.
its Director-General. In recognition of this
remarkable tenure, United Nations Secretary- The UN80 Initiative is a system-wide effort to
General António Guterres entrusted him with reshape how the United Nations system works
the responsibility of advancing the United so that every mandate, every dollar and every
Nations reform agenda. We had the opportunity decision delivers the greatest possible impact for
to meet him in Oslo a few months ago, where people and planet.
he presented his vision to the Norwegian public
alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen What has evolved since the initial presentations,
Barth Eide. Norway has long been a steadfast following extensive consultation across the
supporter of the United Nations. Organization and with Member States, is
the way this work has been organized and
You led the UN80 reform process and operationalized. Proposals initially set out
presented to the General Assembly a roadmap across three reports by the Secretary-General
focused on peace operations, humanitarian have now been consolidated into a single
action, and digital transformation. UN80 Action Plan, bringing together 31
Do these areas continue to form the core of your work packages and close to 90 actions, with
reform vision, or have they evolved since the clear responsibilities, timelines and public
presentation to the General Assembly? tracking.
Peace operations, humanitarian action and
digital transformation remain central to the Member States have established an Ad Hoc
UN80 Initiative, but they sit within a broader, Working Group of the General Assembly on
system-wide reform effort that spans the three Mandate Implementation, which is examining
pillars of the United Nations’ work – peace the full mandate life cycle – from creation to
and security, development, human rights and implementation and review.

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