CANZ EXPLANATION OF POSITION: UN80 INITIATIVE
Statement by H.E Beth Delaney, Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Australia to the United Nations
18 July 2025
Thank you,
I have the privilege to speak on behalf of CANZ – Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia.
At this critical juncture for the UN, Member States must convey a clear and collective message on the future of our UN.
CANZ would like to reiterate our support for the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative.
We welcome the Secretary-General’s ambition and efforts as chief administrative officer to strengthen this Organization.
UN80 is an opportunity to enhance UN efficiency and effectiveness and ensure the UN system focuses on what it does best.
In doing so, the UN80 Initiative should preserve critical functions underpinning the key pillars of the UN system: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.
We believe UN80 discussions should be based on clear and robust advice and proposals from the Secretary-General and be grounded in evidence-based, documented analysis.
So, we believe a resolution at this stage is premature.
It risks limiting both the scope and ambition of the forthcoming proposals.
Despite this, we have engaged in the resolution negotiations in good faith and with a constructive spirit.
We have accepted the omission of some of our priorities to reach consensus. We also acknowledge the late incorporation of some requested edits.
As the UN80 Initiative continues, CANZ reiterates three points that are necessary for its success.
First, the holistic management and strategic oversight of reform.
The Secretariat is equipped to oversee the breadth of system-wide reforms, including within the Specialised Agencies. Its analysis and advice also has a vital role to play in supporting decisions that will need to be made by Member States.
Second, transparency throughout the UN80 reform process.
Member States must understand what decisions have been and will be taken, including where funding and personnel cuts have already been made.
We need a transparent reform and prioritisation framework between New York and multilateral hubs; the Secretariat and specialised agencies; and headquarters and field offices.
Without this, Member States cannot see what steps are being taken, assess the impacts, understand what needs to be changed, and what needs to be prioritised.
Finally, reform efforts should focus on strengthening coordination and enhancing impact on the ground.
No one, particularly the most vulnerable, can be left behind in these efforts.
Together, we can shape a more effective, transparent, and accountable UN for generations to come.