UN Secretary-General António Guterres updated Member States on the UN80 initiative. He also reported on efforts since the adoption of the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future (SoF) in September 2024 and outlined the work ahead in four areas of focus in implementing the Pact for the Future: peace and security; finance for development (FfD); youth and future generations; and technology.
Speaking at the informal interactive dialogue on the implementation of the Pact for the Future on 26 March, Guterres drew attention to the UN80 ongoing review of: efficiencies and improvements to current arrangements in the UN; the implementation of mandates from Member States; and structural changes and programme realignment. “All these,” he said, “will contribute [to] more effective implementation of the Pact for the Future.”
Reporting on efforts undertaken and the work ahead in implementing the Pact for the Future, the Secretary-General noted the establishment of a principal-level steering committee overseeing six working groups that focus on action and reforms in: SDG acceleration; peace and security; international financial architecture; digital technologies; UN governance; and youth. He also highlighted the creation of task teams on future generations and on the need to go beyond gross domestic product (GDP) as a measure of progress, and efforts towards establishing an internal tracking system to monitor progress on the Pact’s implementation.
On peace and security, Guterres highlighted, among others: a November report on peacebuilding, with concrete suggestions to strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund; work on the second independent progress study on the positive contribution of young people to peace processes; and progress on a review of all forms of peace operations.
On FfD, Guterres emphasized, inter alia: efforts by resident coordinators and country teams to map out “how we can accelerate progress at the national levels in close cooperation with the Governments”; a forthcoming report on the impact of military expenditure on the achievement of the SDGs and on the UN’s work; a soon-to-be-announced expert group to develop measures of progress that go beyond GDP; work on improvements to the international financial system; and the establishment of an expert group to identify practical steps for action on debt.
On youth and future generations, the Secretary-General underscored: the key role young people played in shaping the Pact’s priorities; progress towards establishing a youth investment platform to ensure national funding mechanisms and investment platforms are focused on the needs of young people; efforts to develop principles to strengthen youth engagement in the UN; the establishment of a Strategic Foresight Network and Community of Practice to ensure policies, programmes, and field operations of the UN are based on long-term thinking; and the forthcoming appointment of a Special Envoy for Future Generations.
On technology, Guterres highlighted: focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in implementing the Global Digital Compact; a forthcoming report on innovative voluntary financing options for AI capacity building in the global South; and a zero-draft resolution to establish the International Independent Scientific Panel on AI and convene a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
As the UN turns 80 in 2025, the Secretary-General launched UN80 on 11 March. The initiative builds on the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0, among other efforts aiming to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century. A dedicated internal Task Force, led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder and composed of principals representing the UN system, will develop proposals to improve efficiency and cut costs.
The initiative, according to Guterres, responds to drastic cuts in critical funding to achieve the SDGs, with more reductions expected in the future. He underscored that amid geopolitical divisions and mistrust, “with some actively questioning the value of international cooperation and the multilateral system itself,” the Pact for the Future and its two annexes – the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations – “are more important than ever.”
It is expected that the UN80 initiative will be presented to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) by July. [UN News Story]