UN - UN Affairs

1. Gender, geography and powerbroking in play in race for next UN chief

   The choice of the tenth UN Secretary-General, who will take office in January 2027, could shape global diplomacy, the response to crises across the world and the direction of the multilateral system for the next decade.

2. UN80 Initiative enters ‘delivery phase’, as Member States review progress on key work areas

   Top officials updated Member States Monday on selected proposals under the UN80 reform initiative, including an initial assessment of a possible merger between gender equality agency, UN Women, and the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, as well as updates on the technology and data tracks.

3. UN General Assembly adopts landmark resolution to strengthen the work of the UN system

   The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a landmark resolution to strengthen how UN mandates - the decisions taken by Member States that guide the Organisation’s work - are created, implemented and reviewed across the system. 

4. UN resolution urges reparations for slavery’s ‘historical wrongs’

   Applause erupted in the UN General Assembly Hall on Wednesday as Member States adopted a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity. 

5. UN chief calls for immediate release of 118 detained UN staff

   UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the immediate release of the 118 UN staff currently detained worldwide as attacks against the United Nations increase with 179 personnel arrested or detained last year alone.