Director-General's remarks at the Executive Learning Program “UN80 and the Future of Multilateralism: Rethinking Global Governance”

Executive Learning Program “UN80 and the Future of Multilateralism:
Rethinking Global Governance” organized by the Gulf Research Center 
for the Saudi Arabian diplomats

Monday, 6 October 2025, at 11.30 a.m. 
Room S4, Building S, Palais des Nations

Delivered 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 could not be with you today. I am delighted to meet such a distinguished delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ms. Valovaya has asked me to extend her warmest greetings to all of you. Let me also thank the Gulf Research Center (GRC) for convening this important exchange.

I hope our dialogue today will also contribute to the continued strengthening of Saudi Arabia’s dynamic role within the UN system.

I will also be pleased to address any questions you may have at the end of my remarks.

I.    80 years of the United Nations

The Palais des Nations, where we meet today, was constructed between the late 1920s and early 1930s. It stands as a testament to the enduring vision of our predecessors. Built not for royalty, but for nations, it is the second largest palace in Europe after Versailles.

Our forebears, emerging from the devastation of war and pandemic, created the League of Nations, and built this remarkable Palace despite limited resources. Why? Because they believed in the future of the multilateral system. They believed that this system should have proper governance and institutions, and that all Member States should invest in it.

This year, we mark a historic milestone: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The UN was built on a bold vision - that nations could work together to prevent conflict, advance human rights and build a world grounded in peace, equality and shared responsibility.

Eight decades later, this vision remains as relevant as ever. Today, our world once again stands at a crossroads. We face complex crises - from conflict and climate change to inequality and rapid technological disruption - that test the very foundations of multilateral cooperation.

The Charter of the United Nations continues to guide us. It reminds us that even in times of turbulence, hope is never lost.

II.    Progress and impact

Over these 80 years, the UN has achieved remarkable progress. It has helped prevent another world war, led the eradication of smallpox and played a decisive role in protecting our planet - from safeguarding the ozone layer to driving collective climate action.

The UN has been central to expanding human rights, supporting decolonization and championing sustainable development. Every day, its impact is felt worldwide: today, half of all childhood vaccinations globally are coordinated by UN agencies, saving millions of lives each year.

Progress has also been profound in advancing gender equality. When the UN was founded in 1945, only four of the 850 delegates at the San Francisco Conference were women. Yet, thanks to their advocacy, equal rights were enshrined in the Charter. Today, initiatives such as the International Gender Champions network, launched here in Geneva, continue to drive progress. And it is worth noting that Ms. Valovaya is the first woman to serve as Director-General of UNOG, a testament to how far we have come - and how far we still must go.

These achievements remind us that without the United Nations, the world would be far more divided, and humanity would have endured deeper crises and greater suffering.

III.    Current challenges

Today, our challenges are particularly daunting. We face a crisis of trust, fueled by nationalism, unilateralism and erosion of democratic norms. Conflicts continue to rage, while climate change accelerates, threatening lives and livelihoods worldwide.

Cyber threats and disinformation are reshaping our security landscape, transcending borders and undermining social cohesion. These challenges cannot be solved by any one nation alone. They demand cooperative, inclusive and law-based solutions, grounded in multilateralism.

IV.    Adapting to new realities

Revolutions in science and technology have historically changed the distribution of power. The first industrial revolution began in Great Britain, making it the leading economic power of its era. If we fail to share the benefits of new scientific and technological achievements fairly among all nations, these inequalities will only continue to grow. This is a significant risk.

However, we can see a positive trend. Five years ago, half of humanity (53%) lacked Internet access. By the end of 2024, that figure has improved with almost 70% (68%) of the global population now online, so we have made progress. That is why the United Nations is working to ensure universal digital access, recognizing its centrality to sustainable development.

V.    The Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future

To remain relevant, the United Nations must adapt. In this spirit of renewal, the UN Member States gathered at the 2024 Summit of the Future, adopting the Pact for the Future. This landmark agreement represents a collective commitment to reshape global governance for the realities of our time.

The Pact sets out ambitious priorities:

•    Updating key international institutions to be more representative, particularly the Security Council,
•    Strengthening diplomacy and conflict prevention,
•    Reforming the global financial system,
•    Accelerating climate action,
•    And ensuring developing countries have a stronger voice in decision-making.

Its annexes - the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations - highlight a forward-looking vision: closing digital divides, promoting a safe digital environment, and embedding long-term thinking and intergenerational justice into global policies.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents”. The 80th anniversary is therefore not only a moment of commemoration, but it is also a call to revitalize international cooperation.

VI.    The UN80 Initiative

To translate this vision into action, the UN Secretary-General launched the UN80 Initiative earlier this year. This comprehensive, system-wide reform effort seeks to make the UN more agile, coherent and fit for purpose in addressing today’s interconnected crises.

The Initiative rests on three main pillars:

1.    Efficiencies and improvements: streamlining operations, cutting bureaucracy and optimizing the UN’s global footprint to better serve people worldwide.

2.    Mandate implementation review: evaluating thousands of mandates accumulated over decades to eliminate duplication and focus on actions with measurable impact.

3.    Structural reforms and programme realignment: considering deeper reforms, such as merging entities, reconfiguring regional offices and creating joint knowledge hubs to foster cross-sector collaboration.

The UN Secretary-General’s latest report “Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver” provides concrete proposals, including:

•    Consolidating peace and security offices,
•    Establishing new centres of excellence on peacebuilding and women, peace, and security,
•    Launching a humanitarian compact to better serve millions in need,
•    And creating a UN Human Rights Group to strengthen our human rights work system-wide.

Some changes can be enacted immediately under the Secretary-General’s authority, while others require Member States’ endorsement. The coming months will be critical for building consensus and ensuring ownership.

VII.    Sustainable Development beyond 2030

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains our collective blueprint for peace and prosperity. As 2030 approaches, we must accelerate action to meet the Sustainable Development Goals - particularly in areas such as environmental protection, education, and social inclusion.

The Gulf States have demonstrated leadership in renewable energy, water management, and sustainable urban planning, showing how regional innovation can drive global progress. Aligning national strategies with the SDGs and fostering strong partnerships will be essential for success.

Looking beyond 2030, sustainability must become a permanent part of global governance. Here at UNOG, we have a small team within the Office of the Director-General called the Beyond Lab – formerly known as the SDG Lab. It was renamed to concentrate on the horizon beyond 2030, fostering long-term vision and supporting Member States in shaping a sustainable future.

VIII.    International Geneva: a unique ecosystem

You are meeting today in International Geneva, a unique ecosystem that brings together 187 Permanent Missions, hundreds of NGOs, academia and the private sector. Geneva is not just a place; it is one of the beating hearts of the multilateral process, where dialogue is transformed into policy, and policy into global solutions.

Geneva is home to major intergovernmental meetings such as the Human Rights Council, the World Health Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, and countless other processes central to international cooperation. We have the World Health Organization, the Economic Commission for Europe, the International Labour Organization, and, in total, about 40 United Nations organizations and entities.

Geneva has played a central role in addressing many crises in the Middle East and North Africa: mediation efforts in Syria, Libya, and Sudan, as well as UN-led initiatives on food security and climate resilience across Africa.

This 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. We still have a long road ahead.

The challenges ahead are significant. But with unity, innovation, and determination, we can build a stronger multilateral system - one that delivers peace, sustainable development, and human rights for all people and for generations yet to come.

Your commitment as diplomats and leaders will shape the next chapter of this shared journey. 

I thank you for your attention and look forward to your questions.