The UN General Assembly President has invited Member States to a meeting on follow-up to the UN75 declaration during which the UN Secretary-General will present his vision for “a reinvigorated multilateralism” and a revitalized UN, and his plans for developing recommendations.

On 21 September 2020, the UN held a meeting of world leaders to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN’s founding. They adopted a declaration that had been negotiated in the months leading up to the meeting (UN/75/1), in which they call for the UN Secretary-General to report back within the 75th session (2020-2021) with recommendations for advancing the vision expressed in the declaration, and responding to current and future challenges.

UNGA President Volkan Bozkir will convene the informal plenary meeting in person on 15 December 2020, in order to begin discussing the follow-up to the UN75 declaration. Bozkir has provided several questions on which delegations’ statements should focus, including on:

• how Member States can help reinvigorate multilateralism and global governance in order to meet current and future challenges in an effective and sustainable way,
• how existing tools can be adapted to current and future challenges, and
• how stakeholders can be involved, including youth and civil society.

In the September 2020 declaration, Member States recognized that while there have been many achievements in the past 75 years, the world envisaged by the UN’s founders 75 years ago is plagued by growing inequality, poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, terrorism, insecurity, climate change, and pandemics. They noted that global challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed that multilateralism is not an option but a necessity, to build back better for a more equal, more resilient, and more sustainable world, with the UN at the center of efforts. They also recognize that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is necessary for survival.

The declaration contained 12 commitments related to: leaving no one behind; protecting our planet; promoting peace and prevent conflicts; placing women and girls at the center; building trust; improving digital cooperation; upgrading the UN; ensuring sustainable financing; boosting partnerships; listening to and working with youth; and being prepared.

Leaders requested the Secretary-General to report back before the end of UNGA 75 with recommendations to “advance our common agenda and to respond to current and future challenges.” [Letter to UN Member States]