Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review under the UN80 Initiative

I am pleased to join this inaugural meeting of the Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review under the UN80 Initiative.

And I thank His Excellency Mr. Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica

And Her Excellency Ms. Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, 

For their leadership and for bringing us together today.

And I would like to also thank the co-chairs of the revitalization process from Romania and South Africa. 

We have also worked closely together, and this is an outcome of your excellent work, so thank you very much. 

And I think their presence today underlines the importance of this working group. 

Because we are living, as we have heard, in challenging times, 

And therefore also all of us, the General Assembly,  do have a special responsibility in this process. 

To take forward the Secretary-General’s Report on Mandate Implementation, to distil guiding principles, and to chart the next steps that will make our mandates clearer, more effective, and more accountable. 

Underlining that it is not only paper but that it is really implementation which matters. 

It builds on the dialogues begun last session by my predecessor, President Philemon Yang, and takes us to the next step in this process. 

I am grateful also thankful to him and his team for keeping me fully informed during the transition period. And I intend to build upon their efforts, and their open door.

I would also like to underline that this process of ours, as the General Assembly, is obviously part of the heart of the UN80 process in adapting this organization for the 21^st century, ensuring  that our institution is fit for the future. 

That we really deliver as an institution on the efficiency level but also on the state of art level like other institutions around the world. 

And therefore, I would like to recall the three streams of the UN80 process. 

First to sharpens efficiency, which includes cutting bureaucracy, reducing costs, and making smarter use of our global presence. 

Second is the mandate review itself, ensuring the many tasks entrusted to the UN remain focused and relevant. 

And third, to consider the system as a whole, drawing on the first two streams to assess whether deeper structural or programmatic changes are needed.

So colleagues, 

In my opening address I spoke explicitly about this ‘make it or break it’ moment. 

And this mandate review process is part of it - whether we make it or we break it. 

And therefore I believe and would like to underline what the co-chairs have said. 

That we should take up this task with a positive spirit. That we together can make it

And that UN80 is not just an exercise in reform, for reform itself – and definitely not just a cost-cutting exercise for just cutting cost -  but it is a chance for us to make this institution better and stronger together.

It is a chance to prove that the UN can deliver more effectively and accountably for the people it serves.

And the mandate review is an essential component of this. Because this is about us. This is where you as Member States and we as the GA can show that we are delivering. That we are leading by good examples ourselves. 

Less than two weeks in office and already five mandated events, plus two additional high-level events, are on the agenda next week. 

So I for myself, task myself, to always think  with every new mandate and every session I chair: what could I learn for the future? To make it in the future more effective and more accountable to the people. 

Because I believe the organization cannot continue layering more mandates on top of old ones, but has to focus on delivery, efficiency, and effectiveness. 

And therefore, I would like to give you a very small example.  

When we were preparing for the upcoming high-level week, for the ceremonial event on Monday, the Beijing platform based on resolutions, and people told me – especially the Secretariat – that every minute counts. It costs thousands of Euro. 

But then I have the resolution saying you should put 16 speakers in one hour. So this doesn’t work at all. 

But I cannot do anything about it because its in the resolution. 

So I think looking really at these tiny examples we can save a lot of money but also reflect on whether we need to continue doing everything as we have done in the past or if we can reflect also learn from the past.  

So definitely this is no easy undertaking, because everybody obviously loves their darlings and – this is something we can reflect on when we are presenting things, how we can lead by good examples.

Again, I would like to underline what the co-chairs have said: obviously it is not about now and the past but looking for the future, which also gives us strength that we can deliver on this very challenging timetable

In this regard I applaud you for this timetable. 

Yes, it is ambitious. 

Already I’ve heard some people say it might be too ambitious.

But I would say, if it would be easy, others could do the job. 

So, we work on that one together so we can deliver as best as we can.

My office – the OPGA will support wherever support is needed. 

Also, on transparency because trust is the basis for the work here together. 

So on this note I am pleased we were able to provide last minute public support for this discussion today. And we are keen of keeping this transparency, this support also in the future.

Thank you very much for the exchange today and I’m really looking forward to working together

Last, I would like to say that it is of the highest importance that this does not only stay in this room but that is really taken up to senior levels and engagements. 

So with the high-level week ahead, please prepare every head of state and minister visiting the PGA that I will double check if they have heard about UN80 and the mandate review. 

Because obviously it is also an opportunity where we can show altogether that we are not only working together here in New York but also in the capitals in this regard, looking forward to a high-level week and also to a great working group. 

Thank you. 

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