The UN80 initiative is the United Nations' ambitious, system-wide reform effort, launched by Secretary-General António Guterres in March 2025 as the UN marks its 80th anniversary.
It responds to a vital question »»
How can the UN adapt to become more agile, integrated, and equipped to respond to today’s complex global challenges amid tightening resources?
UN80 builds on previous reforms — including the UN development system repositioning, the peace and security reform, the management reform and — but takes them further. It aims to make the United Nations more responsive and resilient; better equipped to serve the people whose lives depend on it; more accountable to taxpayers who underwrite its work; and more supportive of staff in their critical roles.
It's about doing more, more effectively, and with fewer bureaucratic burdens — ensuring the UN system is better aligned to meet rising global needs with unity, agility, and purpose.
The Secretary-General appointed a dedicated UN80 task force to elaborate reform proposals across the following three key areas:
1. Efficiencies and improvements
Work is underway to identify efficiencies in the management and operations of the United Nations Secretariat, and the System as a whole.
2. Mandates implementation
A comprehensive review of approximately 4,000 resolutions and other mandate source documents is underway to streamline delivery, reduce duplication, and increase impact. The initial focus has been on the work of the Secretariat but this will be extended across the System.
3. Potential structural changes and programme realignments
Potential structural changes to the architecture of the UN System and realignment of programmes across entities are being explored to ensure optimal coherence, resource use and impact.
What are the goals of the initiative?
To create a UN that is:
- More efficient and cost-effective
- More responsive to crises and countries’ needs
- More effective in delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals
- More accountable to taxpayers and the people it serves
- More supportive of UN staff and their mission-critical work
The Initiative aims to use our finite resources as effectively as possible, and with fewer bureaucratic burdens.
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