SECRETARY-GENERAL’S BRIEFING: WORKSTREAM 3: CHANGING STRUCTURES AND REALIGNING PROGRAMMES: SHIFTING PARADIGMS: UNITED TO DELIVER
Statement delivered on behalf of CANZ by H.E Ambassador James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
15 October 2025
Thank you President and I thank the Secretary-General for this briefing and opportunity to engage.
As mentioned, I speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own delegation, Australia.
CANZ welcomes your report as a solid basis for advancing discussions towards our shared goal of substantial reform of the UN system and highlight four points that will guide our consideration of these and other proposals for reform.
Firstly, proposals for structural changes should be focused on enhancing coordination, efficiency and achieving more effective delivery, impact and results, in a consistent manner. We do not want to revisit priorities or weaken mandates agreed by Member States. This is especially important when considering proposals for the merger of existing entities.
Moreover, we want to ensure consistency in how the principles of the UN80 Initiative - maximising effectiveness, efficiency, and impact - are applied across the UN’s three pillars.
Second, we welcome further information on the rationale for the proposals in the report, and how they will be implemented. Providing evidence-based analysis on the efficacy and legality of the proposals, expected efficiencies, and how they will be operationalised will enable broader Member State support.
We specifically call for greater clarity and detail on the roles UN Executive governing bodies. Clear, detailed information is required to elaborate timeframes, anticipate resources, and understand needs, including potential legislative changes.
Third, we must ensure that the process for engagement and decision-making on these proposals is transparent, inclusive, and collaborative. We would welcome additional information on the process of how Member States can engage and provide feedback on the proposed changes and contribute to their further development and implementation.
We ask for an inclusive and time-bound process of consultations, particularly with governing bodies and those Member States most affected by proposed changes. We note the Resident Coordinator system and its regional stakeholders in particular must also be factored into the consultation process.
Finally, we need to take the opportunity we have now for reform to build momentum and deliver tangible results. In this regard, we urge you, Secretary-General as Chief Administrative Officer, along with the UN leadership to take all measures within your authority to implement your reform proposals and ensure demonstrable progress before you leave Office.
Effective reforms will require overall strategic vision and holistic oversight to maintain coherence and deliver on their objectives. We ask that you take a coordinated, systemwide approach, that reinforces efforts like the Humanitarian Reset and ongoing UN Development System reforms and brings greater coordination and coherence to changes to UN agencies, funds, and programmes in response to funding drops.
No Member States should be effectively denied access to core UN functions and services due to these reforms. The UN needs to retain a focus on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable.
Secretary-General, you have CANZ’s support to drive a coordinated and coherent reform process, and to use the full extent of your executive authority to deliver efficiencies and restructuring that will help shape a more effective, transparent and accountable UN for generations to come.
CANZ stands ready to work collaboratively with all Member States to move this process forward.