Where can I find the reform proposals of Secretary-General António Guterres?

Secretary-General Guterres has made proposals to reform the United Nations since beginning his term in January 2017.

2025 : UN80 Initiative

The UN80 Initiative, launched by the Secretary General in 2025, aims to update the UN’s structures, priorities, and operations for the 21st century. 

Secretary-General reports

• A/80/318 : Report of the mandate implementation review : UN80 Initiative : workstream 2 : report of the Secretary-General (English only version with infographics)

Adopted resolutions

• A/RES/79/318: UN80 Initiative, adopted 18 July 2025

Mandate research resources

• UN Mandate Source Registry
• Human Rights Council mandate mapper (OHCHR)
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change documents and decisions (UNFCCC)

2017-2024

Previous themes for reform were set out in the Secretary-General's introduction to the annual report on the Work of the Organization .

Some key reports on specific topics have been issued:

• Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse : a new approach (A/71/818 + Corr.1 + Add.1)
• Capability of the United Nations system to assist Member States in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/71/858)
• Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda : ensuring a better future for all (A/72/124 - E/2018/3)
• Improvement in the status of women in the United Nations System (A/72/220 + Corr.1)
• Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions (A/72/357)
• Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations : ensuring a better future for all (A/72/492)
  • Improving and streamlining the programme planning and budgeting process (A/72/492/Add.1) 
  • Implementing a new management architecture for improved effectiveness and strengthened accountability (A/72/492/Add.2)
• Restructuring of the United Nations peace and security pillar (A/72/525 and A/72/772)
• Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda: our promise for dignity, prosperity and peace on a healthy planet (A/72/684-E/2018/7)
  • Has annex: United Nations system-wide strategic document
• Status of implementation of the information and communications technology strategy for the United Nations (A/72/755/Rev.1)
• Seventh progress report on the accountability system in the United Nations Secretariat: strengthening the accountability system of the Secretariat under the new management paradigm (A/72/773)
• Global service delivery model for the United Nations Secretariat Report of the Secretary-General (A/72/801 + Add.1/Rev.1)
• Implementation of General Assembly resolution 71/243 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, 2018 (A/73/63-E/2018/8)
• Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations : comparative assessment of human resources structures (A/73/366)
• Global human resources strategy 2019–2021: building a more effective, transparent and accountable United Nations (A/73/372)
• Amendments to the Staff Regulations and Rules (A/73/378 + Add.1)
• Global service delivery model for the United Nations Secretariat (A/73/706)
• Proposed amendments to the Financial Regulations of the United Nations (A/73/717)
• Improving the financial situation of the United Nations (A/73/809)
• Our Common Agenda (A/75/982)
• Progress in the implementation of the organizational resilience management system : report of the Secretary-General (A/76/607)
• Addressing racism and promoting dignity for all in the United Nations Secretariat : report of the Secretary-General (A/76/771)
• Ways forward in the implementation of human resources management reforms for the period 2023-2026 : report of the Secretary-General (A/77/590)
• United Nations Youth Office : report of the Secretary-General (A/77/955)
• Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions : report of the Secretary-General (A/78/307)
• Improving service delivery in the United Nations : development of the Secretariat's global operational support architecture : report of the Secretary-General (A/78/391)
• Overview of human resources management reform for the period 2023-2024 : report of the Secretary-General (A/79/566) 

• Progress in the implementation of the organizational resilience management system : report of the Secretary-General (A/79/692)

In addition to the proposals related to the programme budget in A/72/492/Add.1, the following reports on administrative and budgetary matters have been issued:

• Proposed revisions to the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation (article VII and annex) (A/72/73/Rev.1)
• Strategic capital review (A/72/393)
• Limited budgetary discretion (A/72/497)

The following resolutions have been adopted related to these proposals:

• A/RES/72/199: Restructuring of the United Nations peace and security pillar 
• A/RES/72/236: Operational activities for development of the United Nations system
• A/RES/72/266: Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations
• A/RES/72/266B: Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations
• A/RES/72/279: Repositioning of the United Nations development system in the context of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system
• A/RES/73/281: Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations
• A/RES/77/267: Shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations : review of changes to the budgetary cycle

We will update this FAQ as more reports with reform proposals are issued.