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.

Several themes for reform were set out in the Secretary-General's introduction to the annual report on the Work of the Organization (A/72/1, see also A/73/1).

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)

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

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.