Director-General's remarks for the GCSP "New Issues in Security" Course

25th New Issues in Security Course of GCSP  

Friday, 20 June 2025, at 2.00 p.m.
Room V, Building A, Palais des Nations

Delivered on behalf of the Director-General by Ms. Kira Kruglikova, Director, Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva
 

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great privilege to address you today on behalf of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, who unfortunately cannot be with us in person. She has asked me to extend her warmest greetings to all of you. I would also like to thank the Geneva Centre for Security Policy for convening this important gathering and for fostering such a rich exchange of ideas.

I hope that our discussion today will offer you a deeper insight into the workings of the United Nations system, and in particular, the role of UNOG. I am also happy to take your questions at the end of my remarks.

I.    Eight decades of the United Nations

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations - a historic milestone and a moment for both celebration and reflection. From the ashes of the Second World War, the UN Charter was born, enshrining the principles of peace, equality, and collective responsibility. These values continue to underpin the international system and guide our efforts in promoting cooperation among nations.

It is easy to focus on the crises of our time - the rise of unilateralism, growing geopolitical rivalry, and erosion of trust. Yet we must also recognize the enduring achievements of multilateralism. Without the United Nations, the world would have witnessed more wars, greater suffering, and far fewer mechanisms for addressing global threats. Take for instance, the UN’s role in public health: today, UN agencies are responsible for over half of all childhood vaccinations globally, saving millions of lives.

Progress has also been made in the realm of gender equality. At the founding conference of the UN, just four of the 850 delegates were women. And yet, those few ensured that gender equality was embedded in the Charter. Today, although women represent less than a third of ambassadors globally, initiatives like the International Gender Champions - launched here in Geneva - are helping to move the needle toward parity.

II.    Confronting today’s challenges

History teaches us that progress is never guaranteed. The United Nations has always had to adapt to new realities, from decolonization to the fight against terrorism and the response to global health emergencies. Today, we face a crisis of trust in multilateralism, a resurgence of unilateralism, and a host of interconnected global risks: climate change, ongoing conflicts, cyber threats, disinformation, and the erosion of democratic norms. These challenges cross borders and demand cooperative, law-based solutions.

The Palais des Nations, built between the 1920s and 1930s, stands as a symbol of our predecessors’ vision. Emerging from the trauma of war and pandemic, they invested in this institution and the League of Nations, believing in the future of multilateral cooperation. Today, the Palais is undergoing its first major renovation, supported by a Swiss loan, as part of the Strategic Heritage Plan. This effort aims to create a modern, inclusive, and sustainable center for diplomacy while preserving our cultural heritage.

This restoration is more than physical; it is symbolic. As we honor our past, we must also modernize our institutions to meet 21st century needs. As the Secretary-General has said: “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents”. We must adapt, while staying true to our founding principles.

III.    UN80

Amid this complexity, the UN80 initiative represents a timely and strategic response to the need for reform. It builds on the Secretary-General’s vision for UN 2.0 and aims to ensure that the United Nations is equipped for the realities of the 21st century. This initiative is not a reaction to the current liquidity crisis or a substitute for financial contributions. It would have emerged even in times of financial stability.

Instead, it is a proactive effort to enhance efficiency, re-examine outdated structures, and ensure that we direct our scarce resources toward areas of real and current relevance. Over the past 80 years, our mandates have multiplied - often with new structures created to implement each one. Today’s UN organizational chart reflects this legacy, but also its inefficiencies. There are duplications. There are areas where we lack capacity. And there are pressing needs that our current structures are not adequately addressing.

The UN80 initiative is about having an honest conversation - within the Secretariat and with Member States - about how to optimize what we already have, streamline where necessary, and focus on the future rather than the past. Ultimately, Member States remain the owners of the Organization. But the dialogue has begun - and its aim is to make the UN more effective, more relevant, and more credible.

IV.    Adapting to a changing world

Our ability to succeed depends on how well we adapt to change. Challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, growing inequalities, and rapid technological advances are intensifying.

Throughout history, scientific and technological revolutions have shifted the balance of power. The first industrial revolution made Great Britain the leading economic power of its era. If we do not share the benefits of today’s technological advances fairly, inequalities will only deepen. The digital divide remains stark: while nearly 70% of the global population is now online, one third still lacks internet access - a basic tool for education and participation in modern society.

The United Nations is working to close this gap, recognizing that universal digital access is essential for sustainable development. We have embraced new technologies to facilitate virtual diplomacy, broaden participation, and ensure that voices from all regions are heard. The pandemic accelerated our adoption of hybrid meetings, and we continue to invest in digital tools to make our processes more inclusive and effective.

We are also maximizing the impact of our resources by streamlining operations, prioritizing mandates, and seeking innovative partnerships with the private sector and civil society. Geneva’s unique ecosystem allows us to collaborate closely with international organizations, academic institutions like the GCSP, and a vibrant NGO community - partnerships that are vital for sharing expertise and amplifying impact.

We are committed to ensuring that women, youth and marginalized communities are fully included in our work. Security is not just about states - it is about people. Human security, in all its dimensions, is at the core of our mission.

V.    International Geneva: a unique ecosystem

Today, International Geneva is a unique ecosystem, home to 187 Permanent Missions, hundreds of NGOs, academia, and the private sector. Geneva is not just a location; it is a hub of multilateralism, where dialogue becomes policy and policy becomes global solutions. The city hosts major intergovernmental meetings, such as the Human Rights Council, the World Health Assembly, and the Conference on Disarmament, as well as about 40 UN organizations and entities.

Geneva has played a central role in addressing crises in the Middle East and North Africa, including mediation efforts in Syria, Libya, and Sudan, and UN-led initiatives on food security and climate resilience in Africa. This is a place where multilateralism is alive and evolving. Its continued success will depend on how well we include all voices - not just member states, but also civil society, the private sector, academia, and young people.

VI.    A vision for the future: The Pact for the Future

Last year, the General Assembly adopted the “Pact for the Future”, a bold and inclusive agenda to reshape global cooperation for a fairer, more sustainable world. The Pact calls for:

•    Reforming the Security Council to make it more representative, including addressing Africa’s historical underrepresentation;
•    Strengthening regulation of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and outer space governance;
•    Reimagining the international financial system to better serve developing countries;
•    Establishing a robust framework for digital cooperation, known as the Global Digital Compact;
•    Adopting a Declaration on Future Generations, to put long-term thinking and intergenerational justice at the heart of policymaking.

This document, the result of broad and inclusive consultations, addresses the full spectrum of global challenges. While it is a political declaration and not a legally binding treaty, it provides a strong foundation for collective action. Implementation will require the continued engagement of governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

VII.    Sustainable development - beyond 2030

Let me turn now to the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDG agenda provides a framework for tackling issues like water scarcity, climate change, and economic diversification. Many regions - including those represented here - have shown leadership in renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, and water management. Yet, recent analyses suggest we need to focus even more on environmental sustainability, education, and regional cooperation on shared challenges.

As we approach 2030, it is clear that sustainable development must extend beyond this deadline. It needs to be woven into the very fabric of our social and economic systems. Here at UNOG, our Beyond Lab - formerly the SDG Lab - was renamed to emphasize this long-term vision, supporting member states in shaping a sustainable future that goes well beyond 2030.

Geneva is a place where multilateralism is very much alive. To ensure it continues to serve the world, we must make it inclusive - not only involving Member States, but also civil society, the private sector, academia, and young people, with truly efficient decision-making processes. Its success in the 21st century will depend, in large part, on how well we include all these voices.

As current diplomats, military officers, leaders, and stewards of the international system, you are part of that transformation. The world is watching how we respond, not only to crises, but to opportunities.

I thank you, and I look forward to your questions.