Secretary-General: This is a major step, but it is only the beginning

I could boil down my message today to one word: Congratulations.

Congratulations on the adoption of this historic resolution.

One year ago, we launched the UN80 initiative – which included a recognition of the central role of the work of Member States in examining how mandates are created, implemented, and reviewed.

We knew this was essential.
Not only to ease the burden on Member States who face an overwhelming volume of reports and meetings.

But also to help the Secretariat avoid duplication, fragmentation and inefficiency.

The Informal Ad Hoc Working Group – under the outstanding leadership of Ambassadors Schwalger and Wallace – has now provided the way forward.

I thank the Co-Chairs for guiding this process with clarity, skill and dedication.

The resolution adopted today reflects a shared understanding of the full mandate lifecycle – and a shared commitment to strengthen each step of it.

It brings greater discipline, coherence and transparency to the creation of mandates.

It encourages mandates that are clearer, sharper, and more focused – backed by better information for decision-making from the outset.

It strengthens implementation – with more user-oriented and data-driven reporting, better coordination, and a more effective use of resources.

And it reinforces a culture of continuous improvement – grounded in evidence, accountability and results.

This is a major step. But it is only the beginning.

I have taken careful note of the requests addressed to the UN system.

We will deliver on them.

We will work as a single, coherent Organization – guided by the Working Group – to improve how mandates are supported and implemented.

The Department for General Assembly and Conference Management will establish a single point of contact for delegations – a clear entry point for questions on drafting and process, and a mechanism to channel inquiries to relevant parts of the system.

The Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance will provide enhanced information on the cost of commonly mandated activities, as well as earlier indications of the financial implications of new mandates.

My Executive Office will help coordinate the assignment of implementation responsibilities among Secretariat entities and across the UN system, according to comparative and collaborative advantage.

We will strengthen results-based approaches, consolidate tools that bring together information on mandates, resources, and results – and provide more tailored and user-friendly reporting formats.

And we will continue to develop the mandate registry and other digital transparency tools.

You have also recognized an important truth: even when budgets are tight and funds are scarce, some improvements require targeted investment.

We will use any such investment with maximum efficiency and full accountability.

Madame President,

Excellencies,

Once again, you have my profound admiration and gratitude.

Today’s resolution helps translate the ambition of the UN80 Initiative into concrete, practical action.

Thank you for establishing a critical building block for a 21st century United Nations system that is more effective, more accountable, and better equipped to deliver results in our churning and changing world.

Thank you.
 

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