In him Annual report on the organization’s workpre-released summit meeting of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres underscores the Organization’s continued efforts to address these pressing challenges.
Mr. Guterres emphasized the resilience of United Nations staff, committed to bringing hope and help to those in need, despite operating in difficult circumstances.
Resolution: Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization
“I am incredibly proud of the people of the United Nations who are doing their job in a divided and sometimes dangerous world,” he said.
“In 2023, together with partners on the ground, we coordinated humanitarian response plans for 245 million people across 74 countries and provided life-saving assistance and protection to nearly 160 million people in urgent need.”
The report said the UN also raised a record $22.7 billion in humanitarian aid from donors globally, helping to deliver life-saving programmes in Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as areas affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes in the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey and floods in Libya, Malawi and Mozambique.
However, these operations come at a human cost. 2023 saw the highest number of UN and humanitarian workers killed, with the majority of casualties being UN workers. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) working in the Gaza Strip. The Secretary-General paid tribute to their sacrifice, underscoring the United Nations’ commitment to standing with the world’s most vulnerable people.
Peace and security are at the core of the United Nations mission.
Diplomacy for peace remains at the core of the Organization’s work in the face of escalating global peace and security. In response, the Secretary-General has proposed a New Agenda for Peace, which includes call for multilateral action to address threats to our shared future.
The report also highlights that for the first time in 34 years, the Secretary-General citing Article 99 belong to United Nations Charterbring the hostile situation in Gaza and Israel to the attention of Security Council and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages. The United Nations has been working to prevent regional escalation and promote peaceful efforts to end the occupation and achieve a two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The United Nations also facilitates peace talks, supports state-building efforts and helps protect civilians around the world, including in Sudan. In addition, the Organization has overseen the withdrawal of some 13,000 personnel from its peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMAin the context of a rapidly deteriorating security situation.
The Peacebuilding Fund has allocated more than $200 million to support national peace plans in 36 countries, with a focus on gender equality. Partnerships with regional organizations, such as the African Union, have further promoted conflict prevention.
A UN team inspects an unexploded bomb lying on a main road in Khan Younis, Gaza.
Call to Action on the Global Goals
In 2023, the SDG Summit brought together more than 6,000 participants, reaffirming the global commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, Only 15 percent of them are on track. This target must be achieved by the globally agreed deadline of 2030, while many developing countries are facing the challenge of securing the resources needed to ensure a sustainable future.
Environmental initiatives such as the Water Action Plan and a landmark agreement on plastic pollution are key achievements in 2023. The UN’s global climate action drive was also a major highlight of the year, with calls to transition away from fossil fuels, launch a loss and damage fund, and end deforestation by 2030.
Human rights and multilateralism
Human rights remain a key focus of the United Nations mission. In 2023, the United Nations supported initiatives to eliminate violence against women, empower rural women and ensure their representation in constitutional processes.
The Secretary-General also raised concerns about the erosion of multilateralism, noting the irresponsible way in which some parties to conflicts are targeting civilians, hospitals, humanitarian aid and schools.
To prepare for the important event Summit of the FutureThe United Nations has published policy briefs on issues such as peace, security and governance of artificial intelligence, aiming to reinforce the values of the UN Charter and address global challenges such as misinformation and disinformation in the public sphere.
United Nations headquarters turns off lights in response to Earth Hour.
Dedicated staff
“At every step, the Organization and our staff will continue to stand in solidarity with the world’s people in this challenging time, as we build together a more peaceful, healthy, equitable and prosperous future, and a world that leaves no one behind,” said Mr. Guterres.
“Their determination to achieve results for people around the world and bring the help and hope that everyone deserves – and that the human family needs today more than ever.”
