UN80: WORKSTREAM TWO: INFORMAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: UPDATE TO MEMBER STATES BY CO-CHAIRS OF THE INFORMAL AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON THE MANDATE IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW
Statement by H.E Mr. James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
11 November 2025
Thank you very much indeed President, and thank you for your leadership on the reform agenda, and a particular expression of appreciation to our two Co-Chairs who have so ably led us and so usefully briefed us today.
As you mentioned President, of cousrse I speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own delegation, Australia.
To date this Working Group has been fundamental in fostering the common purpose we have heard expressed in consultations towards ambitious and effective reform of our United Nations.
CANZ wholeheartedly supports this process. We commend the skilled facilitation by our Co-Chairs, value the insights shared by panellists and welcome the constructive engagement by member states – particularly their thoughtful proposals to improve how mandates are created, implemented and reviewed.
Today’s report back by the Co-Chairs has provided us with a useful summary of the key themes and ideas discussed to date and we look forward to reflecting further on how these might be taken forward in the next phase of our work.
As we transition from the discovery phase to the production phase, we must carry forward the momentum and common purpose we have built. Our next steps – identifying principles and follow-up actions as per General Assembly decision 79/571 – demands ambition and an open mindset. Without these, we risk stalling or failing at our task.
We look forward to further clarity on how the process will be structured.
As we move into the production phase, it will be important that delegations remain engaged at an appropriately senior level to help sustain a clear, strategic focus on the organisation’s long-term interests.
We stand ready to engage at that level and would welcome the Co-Chairs organising our work in a manner that facilitates this.
CANZ remains committed to working with all member states towards bold and decisive reform.
Our goal is to build a UN that is modern, agile, and fit for purpose.
One that upholds international law and norms, drives global cooperation on shared challenges, and delivers essential services on the ground for those who need them most.
Thank you.