EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Presentation of the UN80 Initiative Progress Report by UNSG Guterres

EU Statement - UN General Assembly: Presentation of the UN80 Initiative Progress Report by UNSG Guterres

3 September 2026, New York - Statement by the European Union by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations, at the UN General Assembly Presentation of the UN80 Initiative Progress Report by UN Secretary-General Guterres

Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies,

The European Union welcomes today's briefing on progress under the UN80 Initiative-a testament to the collective determination to make this Organization fit for the challenges of the 21st century. As we approach the final stretch of your tenure, let us acknowledge the courage and vision you have brought to this essential reform agenda. The EU remains a steadfast partner in ensuring that UN80 delivers tangible, lasting change-not just for efficiency's sake, but to strengthen trust in multilateralism and improve the UN's ability to deliver for people worldwide.

Today's discussion takes place against the backdrop of an important deliverable and achievement of the UN80 reform: the adoption, just this morning, of the PGA-led resolution to merge UNITAR and UNSSC. This long-overdue consolidation-preserving the strengths and mandates of both institutions and maintaining geographic footprints and expanding training opportunities for United Nations system personnel and Member States while eliminating duplication-is a proof of concept for the UN80 Initiative. It shows that structural change is possible, that well-designed reforms can yield meaningful efficiency gains, and that this must inspire bolder action across the system. The EU commends this step and encourages its swift, full implementation as a springboard for broader change.

We appreciate the progress outlined in your report, Mr. Secretary-General, particularly the advances in Workstream 1 on Secretariat efficiencies and we look forward to further and consequent steps in this direction. Yet, as you have rightly noted, true transformation requires us to address the multiple and interconnected root causes of inefficiency across the UN system -and that brings us to the critical work of Workstream 2 that represents an important contribution to this broader effect.

We regard the adoption of resolution 80/251 as a significant step forward, providing us with a clear roadmap for change and warmly welcome the recent update presented by the Co-Chairs on principles for mandate review. The EU has long advocated for a systematic, evidence-based approach across the mandate lifecycle to reviewing mandates, ensuring that they remain relevant, coherent and fit for purpose - while addressing mandates that no longer demonstrate clear added value. The principles outlined today-focused on relevance, coherence, and measurable outcomes-are a much-needed step forward. We look forward to decisive action in the coming months to streamline and strengthen mandates, ensuring that the UN's resources are focused where they matter most, while upholding the UN's normative role. We also must ensure that new mandates are backed by the necessary resources, so they can indeed be effectively implemented.

Progress across the three workstreams must be mutually reinforcing: mandate review should inform structural decisions and resource allocation, while efficiencies and structural reforms should strengthen, rather than predetermine or undermine, mandate delivery.

Let us be clear: UN80 is not just about cutting costs-it is about strengthening the UN's ability to act and deliver. The humanitarian reset, the peace operations review, and the push for mandate discipline are not ends in themselves. They are means to a more effective United Nations that delivers across for peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. The EU stands ready to support these efforts, including through aligned funding, political backing, and technical expertise.

As we reflect on the legacy of your tenure, Mr. Secretary-General, let us also look ahead with ambition, maintaining momentum for reform. The substantial progress made so far demonstrates that change is possible. The Mandate Review Co-Chairs' proposals show that the appetite for reform exists. Now, we must seize this moment and work together to further advance on Workstream 3 for the system to deliver with more impact on the ground, leaving no one behind - this includes a fit-for-purpose UN reconfiguring and means a more responsive and strategically configured UN Country Teams led by empowered Resident Coordinators with strong, coherent Cooperation Frameworks at their heart, boosting expertise on demand, leveraging regional expertise and undertaking structural reforms where it makes sense. We must ensure that every mandate, every Euro, and every effort counts.

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to working with you, with Member States, and with the incoming leadership to turn the promise of UN80 into reality. Let us build on today's momentum to create a UN that is leaner, more accountable, more coherent and more effective-one that can rise to the challenges of our time and deliver on the hopes of people everywhere.

Thank you.