The United Nations is prioritising reform to ensure it remains effective, cost-efficient and responsive to the people it serves, Secretary-General António Guterres announced Wednesday, as part of a continued push to modernize the Organization.Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, in New York, Mr. Guterres emphasised that the reforms are not just about internal processes but aimed at delivering tangible improvements in peace, development and humanitarian aid – all while ensuring that public funds are used wisely and transparently.“These efforts are not ends in themselves. They are about better serving people whose very lives depend on us. They are about hardworking taxpayers around the world who underwrite everything we do,” he said.As the UN turns 80 this year, the UN80 Initiative builds on ongoing efforts, including the Pact for the Future and UN 2.0, which aim to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century.Urgency and ambitionSince taking office in 2017, Mr. Guterres has led a comprehensive reform agenda focused on simplifying procedures, decentralising decision-making, enhancing transparency and prioritising data and digital capacity to make the UN more efficient and cost-effective.“It is essential that an organizational system as complex and crucial as the United Nations – subjects itself to rigorous and regular scrutiny to assess its fitness for purpose in carrying out its goals efficiently,” he said.“And this 80th anniversary year of the United Nations is a prime moment to expand all our efforts, recognising the need for even greater urgency and ambition.”Not just about numbersUnder the UN80 Initiative, a dedicated internal Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder will develop proposals in three key areas, the UN chief said.These include identifying efficiencies and improvements, reviewing the implementation of mandates from Member States, and a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment.These efforts go “far beyond the technical,” Mr. Guterres said.“Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet – they are a matter of life and death for millions around the world.”Liquidity crisisThough the UN remains a “one-of-a-kind” forum for nations to advance peace and security collectively, promote sustainable development and human rights, it has been facing significant fiscal headwinds.“Resources are shrinking across the board – and they have been for a long time,” Mr. Guterres said.“For at least the past seven years, the United Nations has faced a liquidity crisis because not all Member States pay in full, and many also do not pay on time,” he added.As of 11 March, only 75 of the 193 Member States have paid their assessed contributions in full towards the $3.72 billion 2025 budget for the Organization – approved by the General Assembly in December last year.Last year, 152 nations paid their share in full by December 31, while in 2023 the number was 142.The regular budget funds UN programmes across key areas, including political affairs, international justice and law, regional cooperation for development, human rights and humanitarian affairs. UN peacekeeping operations are funded through a separate account.Member States’ decisionsMr. Guterres also pledged to consult closely and regularly with all Member States on the progress made – under the leadership of the President of the General Assembly – seeking guidance on the way forward and presenting concrete proposals.“My objective is to move as soon as possible in areas where I have the authority – and to urge Member States to consider the many decisions that rest with them,” he said.He concluded emphasising, “need is great, and the goal is clear:  an even stronger and more effective United Nations that delivers for people and is tuned to the 21st century.”, filtered_html

“Let us work together to build stronger partnerships, exchange innovative ideas, and identify concrete actions that will contribute to Africa’s sustainable development and prosperity” said Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi. A high-level policy dialogue on inclusive and sustainable development in Africa brought together key stakeholders in Ankara, fostering discussions on sustainable development and strengthening cooperation. The tripartite meeting, held on February 28, 2025, was attended by 47 participants representing the African Diplomatic Corps, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and the United Nations (UN) System in Türkiye.The dialogue aimed to enhance collaboration between the UN, TİKA, and African embassies in Türkiye by sharing knowledge, shaping policy, and exploring joint initiatives to address Africa’s development challenges. The discussions underscored the significance of South-South and triangular cooperation in achieving sustainable development across the continent.TİKA’s Expanding Role in AfricaTİKA, Türkiye’s leading development cooperation agency, highlighted its long-standing commitment to Africa’s development. With a presence in over 150 countries and 61 Programme Coordination Offices, 21 of which are in Africa, TİKA has implemented over 7,000 projects across the continent. The agency’s work focuses on key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and capacity building, aligning with Africa’s development priorities under Agenda 2063.The Vice President of TİKA, Dr. Rahman Nurdun. emphasized the agency’s collaboration with African governments, regional organizations, and international partners to foster resilience and drive transformative change. “Through South-South and triangular cooperation, we aim to deepen Turkish solidarity with African nations, ensuring that a people-centered development approach supports sustainable growth, self-reliance, and prosperity,” he stated.UN Resident Coordinator Calls for Stronger PartnershipsThe UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in tackling Africa’s complex challenges. He emphasized that the policy dialogue was a crucial step toward fostering collaboration, exchanging best practices, and scaling up development initiatives. “Africa holds vast potential, but achieving sustainable development requires coordinated efforts, knowledge-sharing, and innovative solutions,” he said. He also acknowledged TİKA’s contributions and called for trilateral cooperation, with the UN acting as a facilitator and convenor when necessary.African Diplomatic Corps Highlights Development PrioritiesAmbassador Majok Guandong Thiep, the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Ankara reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, social development, and regional stability. Stressing the importance of strategic partnerships, he noted that challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, youth unemployment, and infrastructure deficits require innovative solutions. He highlighted the role of international cooperation in fostering inclusive growth, trade, and peace in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.Country-Specific ReflectionsAfrican ambassadors provided country-specific perspectives on how TİKA could further contribute to their nations’ development. Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Gambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon outlined priority areas, including agricultural mechanization, education, healthcare, peace and security, youth empowerment, and governance. TİKA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its development footprint and welcomed further bilateral discussions to tailor projects to each country’s needs.Looking Ahead: A Roadmap for CollaborationThe policy dialogue marked the beginning of a sustained engagement process to enhance development cooperation between Türkiye, African nations, and the UN. With a commitment to long-term partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and people-centered development, the meeting laid the groundwork for future initiatives that will contribute to Africa’s sustainable growth and prosperity.The report of the Policy Dialogue is here.Presentation by TIKA is here.  , filtered_html

The United Nations in Türkiye held a high-level meeting with the Zero Waste Foundation, bringing together UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, and the President of the Zero Waste Foundation, along with representatives of the UN Country Team. The discussions focused on advancing climate action, circular economy initiatives, and integrated waste management in alignment with Türkiye’s sustainable development goals and its Net Zero targets.In his opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi emphasized the importance of assessing COP 29 outcomes in shaping Türkiye’s national climate policies. He highlighted the NDC 3.0 process as a key opportunity to enhance climate ambition and align with global targets. Stressing the UN's commitment, he stated: “The UN remains dedicated to collaborating with Türkiye, leveraging our global expertise and fostering partnerships that promote low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economic models.”Ahonsi highlighted several key areas for strengthened collaboration, emphasizing the need for joint assessments and evidence generation to enhance data collection and analysis for informed policy and decision-making. He underscored the importance of policy support through improved regulatory frameworks that facilitate circular economy transitions and climate resilience. Additionally, he stressed the role of advocacy and outreach in raising public and private sector awareness to accelerate action and mobilize resources. Ahonsi also pointed to the significance of piloting replicable and scalable catalytic programs that can serve as models for broader adoption. Lastly, he emphasized the necessity of cross-cutting joint initiatives that address intersectoral priorities, including just transition, green jobs, digitalization, and innovation, to maximize impact.Minister Yumaklı underscored the long-standing cooperation between the UN and Türkiye, particularly in natural resource management, sustainable food systems, and rural development. He emphasized the significance of initiatives such as the "Convergence Initiative" launched last year to integrate food systems and climate action, as well as ongoing partnerships with FAO, IFAD, UNDP and WFP.“I would like to express our great satisfaction with our long-standing cooperation with various UN agencies in Türkiye. Collaborations in critical areas such as environmental sustainability, water management and circular economy make significant contributions both to our country and to environmental policies on a global scale. We attach importance to the development and expansion of these collaborations to a wider impact area” Yumaklı said. Samed Ağırbaş, the President of the Zero Waste Foundation reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in environmental policies. Noting Türkiye’s leadership in the global zero waste movement, he stated: “The UN Zero Waste Advisory Board plays a crucial role in advancing this agenda, and we take great pride in actively contributing to its implementation and the broader vision of global sustainability.”“This meeting provided a great opportunity for our Minister and the United Nations agencies to come together and evaluate the common areas of cooperation. As the Zero Waste Foundation, we are pleased to be at this important meeting and hope that such meetings will pave the way for long-term and sustainable business co-operation” Ağırbaş added.The United Nations and the Zero Waste Foundation signed a Joint Declaration of Intent in September 2024 which outlines a shared commitment to supporting SDGs advancement in Türkiye with a focus on SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). , filtered_html

Multilateralism is a term frequently used at the United Nations, but it’s not a concept that is only relevant to the corridors and conference rooms where international diplomacy takes place.Beyond the UN, it affects people’s daily lives in many ways. It helps reduce conflicts, grow our economies, and allows us to travel safely around the world. It's also crucial for tackling big global problems like climate change and unregulated artificial intelligence.What does "multilateral" actually mean?  Originally, "multilateral" was a geometry term meaning "many-sided."Now, it describes international politics and diplomacy, where many countries with different views and goals work together.The United Nations system is the principal multilateral forum where countries come together to solve global problems. They hold conferences, summits, and meetings to address important issues.Cooperation, Compromise, and Coordination  In international affairs, countries work together (cooperation), make deals (compromise), and organize their efforts (coordination) to solve problems that one country alone couldn't handle.These three "Cs" help build trust and settle disputes peacefully.Making the modern world possible  Imagine if every country developed its own system for phone calls, airlines, shipping or mail developed nationally – and did not coordinate with others. Global travel, communication, and trade would be a mess. Thanks to multilateralism, we have international systems that make these things possible.The fact that we have global standards for a range of our daily activities from health to postal systems to travel is down to multilateralism, and the creation of a series of multilateral organizations, many of which were established in the 19th Century, and have now become part of the UN System.Two multilateral organizations that pre-date the UN are:International Telecommunications Union (ITU): Started in 1865 to standardize telegraph networks. Now, it helps with governance for radio frequencies, satellites, and the internet.International Labour Organization (ILO): Founded in 1919 to promote workers' rights, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.Making multilateral policies  Since 1945, the UN has helped countries work together and create important agreements.The central policy-making arm of the Organization is the General Assembly, a unique forum for multilateral discussions of international issues.Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote, no matter the size of their economy, population, or military might: Monaco’s vote carries the same weight as China’s.Achievements of the UN  Another feature of multilateralism is standard-setting. The General Assembly has this normative role and has created many international laws and treaties on disarmament, human rights, and environmental protection.One of its greatest accomplishments is the drafting and adoption of the groundbreaking Universal Declaration of Human Rights which paved the way for a comprehensive body of human rights law.  Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, it was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1948.It set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and new democracies.The Cold War  During the Cold War (late 1940s to early 1990s), the UN played a key role in peacekeeping and arms control.Despite the threat of nuclear war, a third world war was avoided partly because of the UN providing a platform for discussion and decision-making.The UN today  Some 80 years later, the United Nations is still the world’s primary multilateral organization, harmonizing and coordinating international action in fields ranging from peacekeeping to economic development to trade.Millions of lives have been saved thanks to the humanitarian assistance provided and coordinated by the United Nations, bringing food, health and shelter to conflict and disaster zones.The multilateral framework has expanded beyond countries to include representatives of civil society, youth and business, among others.What's next?Member States often struggle to cope effectively with today’s global threats and challenges, from devastating civil wars and cross-border conflicts to growing economic inequality between and within countries, and the existential threats of unregulated artificial intelligence and climate change.To make sure that the UN remains fit for purpose as the world’s pre-eminent forum for multilateralism in the decades to come, in 2020 Member States invited the Secretary-General, António Guterres, to develop a vision for stronger global governance, for present and future generations.Policy reforms in areas from peacekeeping to the international financial architecture, education and youth engagement in policymaking were encapsulated in Our Common Agenda, which covered recommendations for an upgraded UN which in turn fed into the landmark Pact for the Future, which was adopted by world leaders at the Summit for the Future meeting at the United Nations in New York in September 2024.Call to action by the UN chiefIn his first year as Secretary-General, António Guterres said having laws and conventions are not enough.He urged: “We need stronger commitment to a rules-based order, with the United Nations at its centre, with the different institutions and treaties that bring the Charter to life.”He called for networked multilateralism – with other international and regional organizations – and an inclusive multilateralism that would withstand the tests and threats of today and tomorrow. , filtered_html