The UN’s top official, Antonio Guterres, released his annual report on the organization’s work just ahead of the general debate at the 79th session of the General Assembly, detailing the efforts made by the UN to address the issue. with current challenges.
The Secretary-General has committed UN staff to resilience, spreading hope in desperate and difficult situations, and providing assistance to populations in need.
“I am extremely proud of the UN staff who are carrying out their duties in a fragmented and often dangerous world.”
“In 2023, with our partners on the ground, we coordinated humanitarian assistance for 245 million people in 74 countries and provided life-saving assistance and protection to nearly 160 million people in urgent need.”
According to the report, the United Nations has raised $22.7 billion from donors around the world. Lifesaving programs were conducted for Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
At the same time, aid has been given to Syria, Türkiye, Libya, Malawi and Mozambique affected by natural disasters.
But this aid campaign has come at a huge human cost. Highest number of UN staff and humanitarian aid workers killed in 2023
Most of them were employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip (UNRWA). Paying tribute to their sacrifice and dedication, the UN chief assured that his organization is always united with the world’s most vulnerable.
Peace and security, the foundation of the UN mission
Diplomacy is at the core of the organization’s work, at a time when challenges to global peace and security are increasing around the world
In view of this, the UN Secretary-General introduced a ‘New Agenda for Peace’, which focuses on addressing interconnected threats for a better shared future.
The report noted that for the first time in 34 years, the Secretary-General invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter. It drew the attention of the Security Council to the situation in Gaza and Israel and demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
The United Nations continues its efforts to encourage peace talks. In continuation of this, support is given to the establishment of state power and the protection of ordinary citizens in Sudan and other countries.
At the same time, amid the worsening security situation in Mali, the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) was closed, causing the return of more than 13,000 personnel.
Through the Peacebuilding Fund, $200 million was allocated to support national peacekeeping operations in 36 countries with a specific focus on gender equality.
Partnerships with other regional organizations, including the African Union, have been strengthened in the fight against violent conflict and extremism.
Call for global targets
In 2023, more than six thousand participants attended the Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals and made new commitments to the 2030 Agenda to build a better world.
A deadline of 2030 has been set to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, but only 15 percent of the goal is currently on track.
Many developing countries face challenges in financing sustainable development efforts.
In 2023, the ‘Water Action Agenda’ and a key agreement on plastic pollution were seen as major achievements. The United Nations continues its support for climate action, calling for a reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, the creation of a fund to address climate change-related losses and damages, and a halt to deforestation by 2030.
The lights at the UN headquarters have been turned off for the Earth Hour campaign.
Human Rights and Multilateralism
Human rights were high on the UN agenda. In 2023, the UN aims to eliminate violence against women, empower rural women and ensure their participation in constitutional processes.
Secretary-General Guterres also expressed concern about the erosion of the principle of multilateralism, noting that some groups are targeting civilians, hospitals, humanitarian aid convoys and schools with impunity.
In preparation for the ‘Summit of the Future’, the UN presented the Policy on Peace, Security and Artificial Intelligence, which aimed to reinforce the values of the UN Charter and address challenges including confusion and inaction.
Dedicated staff
At every step, organizations and staff have shown solidarity with ordinary citizens of the troubled world, the UN chief said.
We are working together to create a more peaceful, healthy, just and prosperous future, a world where no one is left behind.
The UN chief said UN staff are determined to achieve these results for the world’s population, spreading hope and help to every human being. And this is what the human family needs more than ever.