UN Deputy Secretary‑General calls for stronger reforms, sustainable funding at ECOSOC development segment

International

UNITED NATIONS, US (NPA) — Deputy Secretary‑General Amina J. Mohammed has urged Member States to intensify support for UN development system reforms, stressing the need for sustainable funding and tailored responses to meet the diverse needs of countries.

Delivering her closing remarks at the ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS), she commended the leadership of Ambassador Wellington Bencosme of the Dominican Republic and highlighted the progress made under the theme “innovation to impact.”

Mohammed noted that reforms since 2018 have brought the UN system closer to host country needs, but emphasised that unfinished business remains. She outlined four priority areas: strengthening UN country teams through the Cooperation Framework, enhancing regional expertise and integration, expanding system‑wide efficiencies such as Common Back Offices and Shared Services, and securing predictable funding for the Resident Coordinator system.

She warned that voluntary contributions have fallen to their lowest levels, underscoring the urgency of addressing persistent shortfalls.

The Deputy Secretary‑General reaffirmed that Member States expect differentiated, context‑specific support for LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, and MICs, with national ownership at the centre.

She called for clarity, coherence, and decisive action in the forthcoming resolution, stressing that the time to 2030 is short. “Let’s turn this moment of challenge into one of opportunity by acting now, together, and by strengthening UN support to those we serve,” she concluded.