United Nations: Triple Board (UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS) Meeting - National Statement

New Zealand welcomes today's briefing on the UN80 process. UN80 represents an important opportunity to move closer to the UN system we need: one that is effective, efficient, transparent, and responsive, while remaining practical and grounded in real delivery challenges. To get there, reforms must remain laser-focused on improving outcomes for the people and communities we serve, and on maximising the impact of every dollar spent.

We welcome progress on the UN80 work packages relevant to these Executive Boards and are broadly supportive of the principles underpinning the reforms. The focus on more integrated system-wide delivery is encouraging for countries that depend on an effective and accessible UN, including those in my own region, the Pacific. Ultimately, success will depend on how they are implemented. I wish to highlight several points in this regard.

First, we welcome the preparation of merit assessments for the proposed mergers of UNDP and UNOPS, and of UNFPA and UN Women. We will review these openly and constructively. For any proposal to proceed, we need to see robust business cases that demonstrate clear benefits in terms of efficiency and more integrated, impactful delivery. Adequate time for Member State consideration will also be essential. We reiterate our expectation that mergers focus on operational and administrative improvements, without opening up existing mandates.

Second, changes to the UN's country and regional presence must maintain and enhance the ability of countries that rely on UN support, including those in the Pacific, to access relevant expertise. These reforms present opportunities to provide more tailored support, backed by the right technical capabilities and led by empowered Resident Coordinators. But to be effective, reforms must ensure core services remain accessible to all who need them. No countries should be denied UN support simply by virtue of their size or location.

This means ensuring reforms are flexible enough to allow effective implementation in different countries and regions. In the Pacific, we need to think through the practicalities of remotely accessing "expertise on demand" and consider the role of sub-regional hubs and multi-country offices in the optimal distribution of services and expertise. We look forward to working with you to ensure the final proposals are fit for purpose in our region.

We also welcome efforts to strengthen the ability of Regional Coordinators to drive more strategic and integrated delivery and to empower them to do so through more integrated planning, funding, and accountability processes. RCs must be appointed at an appropriate level and equipped with the expertise and experience needed to fulfil their responsibilities.

For countries with limited administrative capacity, reforms should also reduce - not increase - the compliance burden for accessing UN services. Clearer mandates, streamlined processes, and enhanced coordination across entities and levels of the UN system must be our benchmarks for success.

Across all elements, transparency, accountability, and meaningful Member State engagement are essential. Small delegations, including those from vulnerable regions, must be able to participate fully in discussions. Inclusive processes strengthen both legitimacy and outcomes.

Executive Boards must fulfil their governance responsibilities and support alignment between agency mandates and system-wide reform objectives. We therefore encourage timely updates on UN80, including merger assessments and implications for mandates, governance, staffing, and delivery. Clear timelines and consultation mechanisms will enable informed engagement by all Member States.

New Zealand remains committed to ensuring UN80 delivers a more coherent, impactful UN development system-one capable of meeting global challenges, supporting the most vulnerable, and directing resources where they are needed most.

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