At a UN General Assembly briefing last Thursday, China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, urged the UN80 Initiative to place developing countries – who make up two-thirds of UN members – at the heart of its reform agenda. Speaking on behalf of the newly formed Group of Friends of Global Governance, Fu highlighted the need for reforms that resonate with the needs of the majority of UN states. 🌍🤝
Launched to mark the UN's 80th anniversary, the UN80 Initiative is a sweeping reform effort. According to the Group's statement, its goals should include:
- Boosting effectiveness and efficiency in the UN's work by cutting duplication and improving agility;
- Addressing the specific challenges and aspirations of developing countries;
- Ensuring a transparent and inclusive process that gives all member states an equal voice.
The statement reads, "In order to make it better fit for today's challenges, the UN needs adaptation, revitalization, and strengthening." It calls for sharper responsiveness, resilience, and a more streamlined structure to deliver real results.
The Group also warned that two-thirds of the Sustainable Development Goals are falling behind schedule, making development support – and capacity building – the top priorities for developing nations. Equitable geographical representation in decision-making, they added, is essential to a fairer global governance system.
Fu emphasized that the UN's member states should remain central to the reform process. "All parties must participate on an equal footing across every workstream," the statement said.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at UN headquarters in New York, signaling a collective push for a just and equitable UN80 outcome that serves the interests of all members.
As global challenges grow more complex, young leaders and enthusiasts from Latin America to Asia are watching closely, hoping that this push for inclusive reform will reinvigorate the United Nations and keep the 2030 Agenda on track. 📈🌟
Reference(s):
UN80 Initiative urged to address concerns of developing countries
cgtn.com
