The President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) convened an interactive dialogue to reflect on how political commitments in the Pact for the Future can inform UN80 reform efforts and how the UN80 Initiative can support effective implementation of the Pact. Member States sought to strengthen these linkages to lay the groundwork for the high-level review of the Pact in 2028 and other future reviews.
Themed, ‘The Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative: From Commitments to Delivery,’ the interactive dialogue convened on 24 April 2026.
A concept note describes alignment between the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative as critical to addressing the proliferation of mandates, resource constraints, and the need for improved system-wide coordination, among other longstanding challenges. It highlights that “[s]ituating UN80 Initiative discussions within the political framework provided by the Pact for the Future will help anchor reform efforts in agreed priorities and shared commitments.”
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In her opening remarks, UNGA President Annalena Baerbock invited Member States to reflect on how efforts under the UN80’s three workstreams, “on budgets, mandates, and structures, align with the aspirations of the [P]act.” Emphasizing that “the Pact is our commitment, the SDGs are our benchmark, and UN80 is our delivery mechanism,” she called for “an open discussion about what works and what doesn’t” in terms of concrete deliveries under the Pact related to the reform of the UN and its agencies.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted progress under the Pact for the Future, including:
- The launch of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance;
- The High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP’s (HLEG) efforts to redefine measures of progress;
- The launch of the Borrowers’ Platform to address global debt distress and efforts to enhance global tax cooperation; and
- The convening of the first Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, which, by linking with international financial institutions, helped align global financing with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and make the global financial system more inclusive, responsive, and accessible to developing countries.
He identified the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative as “interconnecting components of a single strategy of renewal” and highlighted five points of convergence where both the Pact and UN80:
- Seek to strengthen all three pillars of the UN’s mandate and the links between them;
- Are anchored in a shared commitment to future-oriented, inclusive multilateralism that is accountable to the next generation;
- Are fully aligned on digital transformation, data, and responsible innovation;
- Address the urgent need for better financing and value for money; and
- Recognize that country level is where impact occurs.
Member States and Observers, representatives of UN system agencies, and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) offered their perspectives on: how the Pact for the Future can provide strategic guidance for UN80 Initiative-related reform efforts; and ways the UN80 Initiative can contribute to more effective implementation of the Pact for the Future, including through improved coherence, coordination, and accountability.
The interactive dialogue took place amid a series of monthly briefings on the UN80 work packages. The UNGA President will prepare an informal summary of the meeting. [Letter from UNGA President Dated 10 April 2026] [Letter from UNGA President Dated 22 April 2026] [Programme] [Interactive Dialogue Recording]