‘NEED A UN 2.0’ TO ADDRESS MODERN CHALLENGES, SAYS UN CHIEF ANTONIO GUTERRES

Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, emphasised on Monday the significance of a "strengthened and modernised" UN to better serve and aid people across the world.

In the midst of complex issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change, the world turns on the UN "to help deliver the better, safer and greener world we need," stated Guterres.

"But we cannot solve 21st century problems with 20th century tools – we need a UN 2.0," he said in a statement that kicked off UN 2.0 week.

Encapsulated in the UN chief's vision of a UN 2.0, the skills and culture transformation is centred on fostering cutting-edge capabilities in data, digital solutions, innovation, foresight, and behavioural science. This will help countries accelerate efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and produce stronger results.

The first policy brief released in September of last year outlined the secretary-general's goal.

During his speech on Monday, Guterres emphasised the need for the UN to have a "forward-thinking culture" that is propelled by rapid technological advancement. He pointed out that this was important given the important changes described in Our Common Agenda, his plan for reviving the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering international collaboration, as well as the approaching Summit of the Future, which is set for September 22–23 in New York.

"We're already seeing what is possible: From online resources for remote schools, to humanitarian aid based on real-time data, and technology that helps countries forecast and build resilience to disasters," the UN chief said.

"Ultimately, UN 2.0 will make us better partners for countries as they achieve results for their people."

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed also spoke at the launch, elucidating that UN 2.0 is the global organization's reaction to how "we will pivot and meet the world where it is at and where it needs to go."

She continued, mentioning the five subjects of data, digital solutions, innovation, foresight, and behavioural science. "Thinking about what that means for investing in our staff, but also attending to many of the 'quintet of change' issues," she said.

With the changes, she hoped, the UN would become more purpose-driven and "that we can actually get out there and raise the ambitions, and be more responsive for the needs."

UN 2.0 Week, which runs from 22 to 26, will feature a range of virtual activities such as panel discussions and best practice sharing conversations. Over 40 speakers from the UN system and associated organisations are scheduled to speak.

2024-04-23T05:13:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd