Why the UN80 Initiative is needed now
Eighty years after its founding, the UN system remains central to advancing peace, development, humanitarian action, and human rights, supporting millions of people every year. As challenges grow more complex and resources more constrained, the UN80 Initiative is reshaping how the UN system works so every mandate, dollar and decision delivers greater impact for people and planet.
What is changing?
Improving how the UN Secretariat works
Practical efficiency measures within the UN Secretariat to reduce duplication and improve delivery. Includes administrative consolidation and relocations to lower-cost duty stations.
A stronger mandate lifecycle
Sharpening how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed with Member States. This means more transparent mandates, stronger design support, less reporting and more harmonized results management.
Realigned programmes and structures
Examining how the UN system itself can be better aligned to deliver results collectively. This means reducing fragmentation, strengthening delivery within and across pillars, and improving regional and country-level coherence.
How is the UN80 Initiative organized?
1 Action Plan
86 actions brought together under one framework, ensuring coherence across the UN system.
3 Workstreams
Three interconnected and mutually reinforcing workstreams provide the strategic framework.
31 Work Packages
Thirty-one work packages focus on areas where delivery and coordination can be strengthened.
86 Actions
Each work package is supported by concrete actions, milestones, and responsibilities.
Latest updates
Member States are in the driver’s seat
The UN80 reform process is led by Member States, who guide decisions on priorities and outcomes. For example, through the Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to straighten how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed across the UN system, with the UN Secretariat providing technical support.
Key resources
Comprehensive Guide: Progress and Next Steps
Brings together one-page summaries of all the work packages that together make up the UN80 Initiative Action Plan
Report of the Mandate Implementation Review
Analyzes the full mandate lifecycle, from creation to implementation and reviewing, presenting how the UN turns Member State decisions into operational results.
Report: Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver
Progress report by the Secretary-General that explores and proposes possible structural changes and programme realignments across the UN system.
Resolution on mandate lifecycle
Adoption of a landmark resolution to strengthen how mandates for UN organizations are created, implemented and reviewed.
Upcoming events
Hear from UN system leaders
Interconnected agendas
A transformation and modernization agenda to build a UN system that is simpler, more coherent, efficient, accountable and future-ready.
UN80 is the implementation-side response to the Pact for the Future's call for a more inclusive, effective, and fit-for-purpose multilateral system.
UN80 aims to strengthen how the UN delivers its mandates, including in support of the SDGs, by improving effectiveness, coherence and impact.
