SI Advisor to Advocacy, Pat Black, explains the key points of the United Nations Secretary-General’s recent report, which is set to be a key topic of discussion at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (14-30 September).

“The United Nations (UN) celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2020 by opening up a public dialogue with all its stakeholders and anyone who might be interested in changing the face of the UN going into the future.

Over recent years, there have been many criticisms of the way in which the UN works, its governance and structures, the way in which it has been funded (or not).  Some scandals especially around sexual violence and harassment among UN workers have caused a great deal of distrust. Smaller and least developed Member States have expressed their views that they have been ignored or have a lack of influence.  Discontent had begun to set in with UN approaches, while around the globe governments were being elected which did not appear to share the UN values of multilateralism or even respect the international UN agreements.

During 2020/2021 UN Secretary-General (SG) Antonio Guterres and a specially appointed task force led by H.E. Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, read and listened to the many contributions and views which were submitted. All these contributions have been analysed and synthesised into a major report.

Preparing for the 76^th UN General Assembly 2021 SG Guterres gave a briefing on the outcome of this consultation to all Member State Representatives and the press, launching his report to the upcoming General Assembly entitled ‘Our Common Agenda’.

 

Introducing his report, SG Guterres said:

“We are at an inflection point in history. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a wake-up call and with the climate crisis now looming, the world is experiencing its biggest shared test since the Second World War […] Humanity faces a stark and urgent choice: breakdown or breakthrough. The choices we make — or fail to make — today could result in further breakdown and a future of perpetual crises, or a breakthrough to a better, more sustainable, peaceful future for our people and planet.”

He pointed out that in this time of mistrust around the world, the UN, its values and principles, was needed now more than ever.

The new report proposes an Agenda of Action set out across four broad areas. In summary, they are:

1. A renewal of the social contract, anchored in human rights, to rebuild trust and social cohesion;
2. A focus on the future, through a deepening solidarity with the world’s young people and future generations;
3. Urgent action to protect and deliver global commons – high seas, the atmosphere, Antarctica, and outer space – and global public goods such as peace, economic security and global health;
4. An upgraded UN that is fit for a new era – one that can offer more relevant system-wide, multilateral, and multi-stakeholder solutions to the challenges of the 21^st century.

 

With echoes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the report proposes 12 areas of commitment for all Member States of the UN:

1. Leave no one behind
2. Protect our planet
   

   Click the image to access the UN Secretary General’s Report.

3. Promote peace and prevent conflicts
4. Abide by international law and ensure justice
5. Place women and girls at the centre
6. Build trust
7. Improve digital cooperation
8. Upgrade the UN
9. Ensure sustainable financing
10. Boost partnerships
11. Listen to and work with youth
12. Be prepared

Each point is broken down in detail in the report with actions to be undertaken.

Reflecting SDG 5 Gender Equality ‘Place Women and Girls at the Centre’ indicates several issues for Member States to deal with immediately:

• Repeal of gender-discriminatory laws
• Promote gender parity, including through quotas and special measures
• Facilitate women’s economic inclusion, including investment in the care economy and support for women entrepreneurs
• Include voices of younger women
• Eradication of violence against women and girls, including through an emergency response plan

 

Responding to the Report ‘Our Common Agenda’ and the Secretary General’s remarks many of the Member States praised the visionary nature of the recommendations, although several expressed reservations about the detail. Will the General Assembly be able to agree on the report and it’s recommendations?

Has it gone far enough to resuscitate what many see as a failing institution?

Will ‘placing women and girls at the centre’ receive universal support?  If so, will there be effective action by the Member States?

The debate will take place during the General Assembly which is meeting over the next three weeks to the end of September 2021. Watch on UN Web TV if you can.

And read the REPORT which could be vitally significant or become a damp squib.

Or watch the full briefing by the Secretary-General HERE.”