The Secretary General’s annual report, published Thursday before the 80th session of the high -level annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, offers a sober but resolved account of the organization’s efforts in the face of mounting challenges.
Mr. Guterres underlined the resilience of the UN staff, committed to providing hope and helping those who need it despite the functioning in difficult circumstances. “This report shows that Despite extremely trying moments – in fact, precisely because of them – we can and must continue to push for the world better than we know at hand“He said.
With partners, the UN coordinated a call of $ 50 billion for the humanitarian needs of 198 million people. “In 2024, the United Nations helped to mobilize $ 25 billion from the funding target of $ 50 billion, allowing humanitarian assistance that saves lives to reach 116 million people in urgent needs in 77 countries and territories.”
This saved backup programs in the Horn of Africa, the Occupied Palestinian territory,, Sudan,, Ukraine,, Yemen and regions affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes in Vanuatu,, drought in South Africa and East And Floods in Southeast Asia.
At the same time, UN operations in 2024 have reached a heartbreaking human cost. It was the The deadliest year ever registered for United Nations personnel and humanitarian workersWith 373 humanitarian workers killed. The vast majority of these victims were staff of the United Nations Rescue and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA), working in Gaza Under extreme and dangerous conditions.
By launching the report, the secretary general paid tribute to his sacrifice, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the UN to stand with the most vulnerable in the world.
Children find the shadow and participate in recreational activities organized by UN staff in front of the buildings destroyed in the Gaza Strip.
Peace and security of the UN mission
Peace diplomacy has remained at the heart of the work of the organization in the midst of climbing world challenges to peace and security. Despite growing threats, UN diplomatic efforts have continued to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians daily and to advance peace processes.
During the political transition in SyriaThe UN has engaged the stakeholders online with Security advice Resolution 2254 – which in 2015 approved a roadmap for a peace process In the country – to defuse violence, protect civilians and prevent regional overflows.
Meanwhile, in the occupied Palestinian territory, notably Jerusalem-Est, Gaza and the West Bank and the wider region, the parties of all the parties have been closely engaged to end violence, improve humanitarian access and maintain aid to the affected populations.
In Lebanon, the UN supported de -escalation and a resumption of a cessation of hostilities in accordance with our mandate under the Security Council Resolution 1701allowing people to return home on both sides of the blue line.
The UN also facilitated peace talks, supported the efforts to build the state and contributed to protect civilians on a global scale, including Sudan. The organization’s efforts to help promote peaceful coexistence in Abyei experienced a drop in inter -municipal violence.
The Peace Construction Fund allocated more than $ 116 million to support national peace plans in 32 countries and territories, emphasizing gender equality. Partnerships with regional organizations, such as the African Union, have further strengthened conflict prevention.
A renewed vision for the future
2024 Future summit marked a historic turning point for multilateralism. World leaders have adopted the Pact for the futureA historic agreement to revitalize international cooperation and provide solutions for people and the planet.
The Pact calls for stronger diplomacy and conflict prevention, global financial system reforms, urgent climate action and accelerated progress on the Sustainable development objectives (ODD). It also undertakes to a more representative and effective global governance, including the reforms of the Security Council and a greater voice for developing countries.
THE Global Digital Compact and the declaration on future generations have been adopted as annexes to the pactemphasizing its magnitude and ambition. The compact advances a vision of a safe, open and inclusive digital future, by initiating member states to close digital divisions, to promote universal digital public infrastructure and to strengthen data governance and artificial intelligence.
The declaration, on the other hand, represents the first global agreement to systematically explain the rights and interests of the citizens of tomorrow in today’s decisions, integrating providents in the development of policies and paving the way for long -term sustainable action.
Together, these results constitute the foundation of a generational renewal of multilateralism. As the Secretary General Guterres pointed out: “By attacking the urgent problems of our time, the United Nations paves the way for a more equitable and lasting future, ensuring that digital technologies are exploited for the benefit of all humanity.“”
Participants meet for the opening of the summit of the future, with young people for the future as theme of the opening day of action.
Human rights and sustainable development
The United Nations continue to be guided by the vision that human rights are an engine of solutions with many global challenges that we face and are the foundation of peace, justice and sustainable development. In 2024, the organization has advanced initiatives to eliminate violence against women and girls, empowering rural and marginalized communities and ensuring women’s participation in peace and constitutional processes.
Human rights have also been woven in the responses to conflicts, migration, climate change and digital governance, helping to strengthen protection, responsibility and inclusion through the work of the organization.
At the same time, sustainable development and climate action remained central. The UN has supported 170 countries in the implementation of their contributions determined to reduce emissions and provided targeted assistance for low carbon transitions in developing states.
The organization also put pressure on global financial system reforms to close the Expanding the ODD financing gapensuring that the most vulnerable countries have a fair chance of keeping the promise of 2030 agenda.
A commitment to staff is a commitment to humanity
The secretary general underlined the commitment of the UN staff working in extraordinary risk. He expressed his alarm to the erosion of humanitarian standards, condemning deliberate attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools and humanitarian workers, which undermines international law and the values of the Charter of the United Nations.
Despite record dangers, the staff continued their mission with courage and resilience.
“This report shows that despite the extremely trying moments – indeed, precisely because of them – we can and must continue to put pressure on the world better than we know at hand. We will renew our efforts to achieve peace, promote sustainable development and defend and maintain human rights, for all humanitySaid Mr. Guterres.
Together, these strands embody the minds of an organization which endeavors not only to face the crises of today, but to maintain the rights, to provide development and to serve people everywhere with integrity and compassion.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
