STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SAMBA SANÉ | INFORMAL MEETING OF THE PLENARY TO HEAR A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UN80 INITIATIVE

  Delivered by H.E. Semba Sane

Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations

15th October 2025

Excellencies,

Secretary-General,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. At the outset, the African Group wishes to thank you sincerely for the presentation of the report Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver, which outlines the proposals under workstream 3 of the UN80 Initiative. Our meeting today is timely and indeed needed to clarify a few things related to the ongoing efforts.

We appreciate your commitment to advancing coherence, integration, and greater effectiveness across the UN system. This represents a step in the right direction and should be looked at in tandem with the two other workstreams of the UN80 initiative.

Given the many pressing challenges facing our continent—ranging from peace and security challenges, climate resilience, food insecurity, public health emergencies, to debt distress and structural development gaps—Africa attaches huge importance to this reform and has high expectations from this process. We believe that any such reform should enable the UN to respond more nimbly, coherently, and effectively at both national and regional levels.

Aligning with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77+China, the African Group wishes to emphasize the following:

First, the drive for efficiency should not become an excuse for scaling back critical UN mandates or retreating from commitments, especially those related to development, the implementation of the SDGs, human rights, or peacebuilding.

The reforms must preserve, and ideally enhance, the ambition and quality of the UN’s engagement in Africa. Efficient mandate delivery should be the driving factor behind any reform, rather than just settling for a mere cost-cutting exercise.

Second, any realignment of programs or consolidation of entities should strengthen the UN’s presence in African countries and regions, rather than withdraw or centralize functions away from African duty stations. Given what the continent offers in terms of geographical connectivity, reasonable cost of living, and other benefits, we believe it is very well placed to host many of the relocations and capacities proposed.

Third, the present report includes several proposals under the pillars of peace and security, humanitarian affairs, sustainable development, and human rights. Many of these proposals would benefit the organization and its member states; however, more clarity is needed regarding timelines, implementation modalities, and decision-making channels. For example, it would be helpful to get clear timelines on which proposals will be deemed of priority and advanced immediately, which will be relegated to later stages, and what the benchmarks for setting this priority are.

Additionally, it is crucial to recognize the interconnections between the proposals under this workstream and those originating from other governing bodies, such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, and specialized agencies. Many of the reforms and mandates discussed are not isolated; they are intertwined with the decisions and priorities set by these bodies. A coordinated approach is necessary to ensure that the UN operates cohesively and effectively in implementing these proposals, thereby enhancing our collective impact on the ground.

It would also be helpful to understand how these proposals can be implemented in terms of process, meaning which can be effected through the Secretary General in his capacity as the Chief Administrative Officer of the organization, and which will require approval from member states.

Moreover, for those proposals that will need member state approval, more clarity will be required regarding the venues through which these decisions will be made—whether it is the General Assembly, the ECOSOC, the Security Council, or the governing bodies of the various funds, programs, and specialized agencies.

Finally, the African Group will pay close attention to the impact of these proposals on personnel systems, institutional cultures, and delivery at the country level. Reforming structures inevitably affects people, and how the Organization manages this human dimension will determine whether the reform ultimately succeeds or falters.

As we continue to operate under extremely limited timeframes, we call on you, Mr. Secretary-General, to address the information gaps that persist and to ensure complete, timely, and accessible disclosure of staffing and structural data, including the nationality and regional distribution of posts affected by the reform. Transparency must be the foundation of trust.

These elements must be clearly clarified and presented to Member States to provide an accurate picture of the overall reform process under this workstream—its timelines, procedures, and implications—so that delegations can take informed and responsible positions as we move forward.

The African Group is convinced that the UN must reform, modernize, and adapt to changing times. However, reforms must be inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse circumstances of Member States. For Africa, success will ultimately be determined by a more impactful UN presence in the field, stronger alignment with national priorities, sustainable and predictable financing, and enhanced delivery of tangible results where they are most needed.

As the report itself acknowledges, many proposals before us will ultimately require Member State decisions, and the path forward is ours to determine, but more clarity on the way forward is needed to ensure an inclusive and coherent process. The African Group stands ready to engage diligently, constructively, and with conviction. We look forward to working with you, Secretary General, the Secretariat, and all Member States to ensure that paradigms are indeed shifted in a manner that delivers for Africa and for all.

Thank you.