EU Statement UN General Assembly: AHWG Draft Templates and Clauses on Mandate Implementation Review

EU Statement -- UN General Assembly: AHWG Draft Templates and Clauses on Mandate Implementation Review

20 May 2026, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by Mr. Daniel Prada Jimenez de Cisneros, Attaché, EU Delegation to the UN, on the AHWG Draft Templates and Clauses on Mandate Implementation Review.

Distinguished Co-Chairs, colleagues,

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union and its member states.

We reaffirm our strong support for UN80 Workstream 2 and its roadmap. We acknowledge the ambitious timeline outlined in Resolution 80/251 and thank the co-Chairs for the collaborative approach adopted throughout this process, as well as the idea of a "culture shift".

The EU welcomes the proposed draft templates and model clauses. They represent an encouraging step towards the development of clear and objective criteria for decisions on adoption, renewal, and retirement of mandates.

At the same time, we consider that some elements should be added or strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of the mandate implementation review processes.

On Template A, in line with OP5 and OP21 of the resolution, we suggest adding:

• a section that explicitly addresses the mandate's scope and objectives;

• a dedicated section on the implementation roadmap, which includes the implementation lead and timelines;

• as well as a section on the expected funding arrangements.

OnTemplate C, we welcome the proposed model clauses aimed at supporting informed and action-oriented mandate reviews:

• For us, the mandate implementation review is meant to allow for more systematic decision-making on the continuation, modification, or retirement of mandates. We would therefore suggest using the second proposed clause ('Review at defined session') as the new standard phrase as it includes the decision to review and the task to determine continuation of the mandate (acknowledging that the first phrase is the minimum achievement to at least have a review).

• For consistency, we propose that the phrase "to continue, modify, or retire the mandate" should be used in a harmonized way across model review and retirement clauses.

• Finally, we suggest including a review against benchmarks / performance indicators as an optional part into all (or most of the) "model mandate implementation review clauses." We believe this would strengthen the link between mandate performance and review and support a review process that is evidence-based (cf. OP21).

On Template E, the Concept Note, we have proposed adjustments mainly aimed at ensuring that the explanatory sentences in each section lay out as clearly as possible which factors must be considered when putting forward a new mandate.

• For instance, on point 2, objectives and expected impact, we suggest requesting that proponents include quantified indicators/benchmarks that will ensure the achievable targets are met in the defined timeframe.

• On point 3 on the mandate landscape, which offers a unique opportunity to not only monitor but - where appropriate - modify the landscape to reduce duplication, we suggest further emphasis on the added value of a new mandate in relation to existing ones.

• On point 4, proposed mandated activities, we believe periodicity should also be included in this section's considerations as per OP13 of the resolution.

• On point 5, indicative financial implications, we consider that proponents should provide further details on how to measure financial implications, guided by the Secretariat.

• On point 7. UN system implementation lead, we consider that it is up to the proponent to suggest which UN entity should lead the implementation, guided by the Secretariat, and that should be made clear.

• On the last point, implementation timelines, we suggest explicitly requesting that the proponent includes considerations regarding the review and retirement of the proposed mandate.

In addition to this, the EU considers that all elements (from 1. to 8.) under Template E should be subject to indicative word or character limits to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

We look forward to continued collaboration on Workstream 2 under the guidance of the co-Chairs and reiterate our support for this important process in ensuring mandate effectiveness across the UN system.

Thank you.