The annual report of the Secretary General, published on Thursday before the 80th session of the Annual High Level Session of the UN General Assembly, offers an sober but resolved account of the organization’s efforts against the growing challenges.
Mr. Guterres highlighted the resilience of the UN staff, committed to offer hope and help those in need of operating in difficult circumstances. “This report shows that Despite the enormously difficult times, in fact, precisely for them, we can and must continue to press for the best world we know is within reach“, Said.
Together with the partners, the UN coordinated an appeal of $ 50 billion for the humanitarian needs of 198 million people. “In 2024, the United Nations helped mobilize $ 25 billion of the financing objective of $ 50 billion, which allows humanitarian assistance that saves lives to 116 million people in urgent needs in 77 countries and territories.”
This allowed programs that save lives 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 the south and east of Africa and floods in Southeast Asia.
At the same time, UN operations in 2024 reached a heartbreaking human cost. It was the most fatal year registered for UN staff and humanitarian workers, with 373 murdered help workers. The vast majority of these victims were the personnel of the agency of relief and UN works for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), working in Gaza in extreme and dangerous conditions.
When launching the report, the Secretary General paid tribute to his sacrifice, reaffirming the UN unwavering commitment to be with the most vulnerable in the world.
Children find shadow and participate in recreational activities organized by UN staff against buildings destroyed in the Gaza Strip.
Peace and Security Core for the UN mission
The diplomacy for peace was still fundamental for the work of the organization in the midst of global challenges that increase to peace and security. Despite the growing threats, the UN diplomatic efforts continued to protect hundreds of thousands of civilians daily and advancing in peace processes.
During the political transition in Syria, the UN hired interested parties in line with resolution 2254 of the Security Council, which in 2015 supported a road map for a peace process in the country, to discourage violence to protect civilians and prevent regional demolition.
Meanwhile, in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Eastern Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank and the broader region, the UN closely hired all parties to end violence, improve humanitarian access and maintain assistance to the affected populations.
In the Lebanon, the UN supported the decalcalation and resumption of an online hostilities with our mandate under resolution 1701 of the Security Council, which allows people to return to their homes on both sides of the blue line.
The UN also facilitated peace conversations, supported the construction efforts of the State and helped protect civilians worldwide, even in the Sudan. The organization’s efforts to help promote a peaceful coexistence in Abyei, saw a decrease in intercom violence.
The Peace Conservation Fund allocated more than $ 116 million to support national peace plans in 32 countries and territories, with an focus on gender equality. Associations with regional organizations, such as the African Union, further reinforced conflict prevention.
A renewed vision for the future
The 2024 future summit marked a historical turning point for multilateralism. World leaders adopted the Pact for the future, a historical agreement to revitalize international cooperation and deliver solutions for people and planets.
The PACT requires stronger diplomacy and conflict prevention, reforms to the global financial system, urgent climate action and accelerated progress in sustainable development objectives (SDGs). It also commits a more representative and effective global governance, including reforms to the Security Council and a greater voice for developing countries.
The global digital compact and the declaration on future generations were adopted as annexes of the pact, which underlines its amplitude and ambition. The compact advances a vision of a safe, open and inclusive digital future, compromising member states to close digital divisions, promote universal digital public infrastructure and strengthen data governance and artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, the declaration represents the first global agreement to systematically explain the rights and interests of the citizens of tomorrow in today’s decisions, embeding the forecast in the formulation of policies and racing the way for a long -term sustainable action.
Together, these results form the basis of a generational renewal of multilateralism. As the Secretary General Guterres stressed: “When addressing the pressing problems of our time, the United Nations are racing the way for a more equitable and sustainable future, ensuring that digital technologies are exploited for the benefit of all humanity.“
The participants meet for the opening of the summit of the future, with the youth leader for the future as the theme of the Opening Action Day.
Human Rights and Sustainable Development
The United Nations continues to be guided by the vision that human rights are a driving force for solutions to the many global challenges we face, and are the basis of peace, justice and sustainable development. In 2024, the organization advanced initiatives to eliminate violence against women and girls, train rural and marginalized communities, and guarantee the participation of women in peace and constitutional processes.
Human rights were also intertwined in the responses to conflicts, migration, climate change and digital governance, helping to strengthen protection, responsibility and inclusion throughout the organization’s work.
At the same time, sustainable development and climatic action remained central. The UN supported 170 countries in the implementation of its specific contributions nationwide to reduce emissions and provided specific assistance for low carbon transitions in developing states.
The organization also pressed the reforms to the global financial system to close the extensive SDD financing gap, ensuring that the most vulnerable countries have a fair opportunity to meet the 2030 Agenda promise.
A commitment to staff is a commitment to humanity
The Secretary General highlighted the commitment of the UN staff who worked under extraordinary risk. He expressed alarm for the erosion of humanitarian norms, condemning deliberate attacks against civilians, hospitals, schools and humanitarian workers, who undermine international law and the values ​​of the UN Charter.
Despite the record hazards, the staff carried out their mission with courage and resistance.
“This report shows that despite the enormously difficult times, in fact, precisely for them, we can and must continue to press for the best world we know is within reach. We will renew our efforts to achieve peace, promote sustainable development and defend and defend human rights, for all humanity.“Mr. Guterres said.
Together, these threads embody the spirit of an organization that strives not only to face today’s crises, but also to defend rights, offer development and serve people everywhere with integrity and compassion.