Annual Report

2020

Report of the Secretary-General

on the Work of the Organization 

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G

Introduction

by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations

In 1945, world leaders gathered in San Francisco to sign the Charter of the United Nations, which gave birth to an organization that represented new hope for a world emerging from the horrors of the Second World War. Our founders were in no doubt about the kind of world that they wished to banish to the past.

 

In 2020, as the United Nations celebrates 75 years since the Charter’s signing, we have an opportunity to reflect on our shared progress, as well as our common future. Our vision and values – based on equality, mutual respect and international cooperation – helped us to avoid a Third World War, which would have had catastrophic consequences for life on our planet.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Quote Icon

We must commit to building a more inclusive and sustainable world.

________

António Guterres, Secretary-General

 

Over
36,000
United Nations
Secretariat staff
and about 95,000+ uniformed
personnel working...

house

 

 

...across
8 priorities
in 35+ programmes...

house

 

 

...in
140+
countries...

house

 

...with the support of
$14.2B
in resources, including
$3B regular assessed,
$7.2B peacekeeping and other
assessed and $4B voluntary...

house

… to achieve results in 2019, for example:

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development

Through the repositioned United Nations development system, Resident Coordinators  worked with Governments and partners in 162 countries and territories for the 2030 Agenda

Sustainable Development

Peace and Security

Deployed 40+ peacekeeping,
special political missions and offices to prevent conflict and support peacebuilding efforts

Sustainable Development

Humanitarian Assistance

Helped mobilize and coordinate international assistance worth $18 billion for 117 million people in need

Sustainable Development

Human Rights

The Secretary-General launched his Call to Action for Human Rights to advance enjoyment of human rights by all

Sustainable Development

Disarmament

Advanced implementation of the Agenda for Disarmament which focuses on weapons of mass destruction, conventional weapons and new battlefield technologies

Sustainable Development

Development in Africa

Supported the implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, one of the largest trading blocs covering about 1.2 billion people and GDP over $2.5 trillion

Sustainable Development

Drugs, Crime, Terrorism

Engaged more than 170 Member States in preventing and countering violent extremism through outreach and capacity building activities

Sustainable Development

International Justice and Law

Supported the Singapore Convention on Mediation with a record 46 State signatories at the opening of a United Nations trade-related treaty

Introduction
Introduction

Introduction

In 2020, as the United Nations celebrates 75 years since the Charter’s signing, we have an opportunity to reflect on our shared progress, as well as our common future. Our vision and values – based on equality, mutual respect and international cooperation – helped us to avoid a Third World War, whic...
Download Introduction (PDF)
Chapter 1
Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development

Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development

Now in its fifth year of implementation, work on the 2030 Agenda is accelerating, guided by the pledge of leaving no one behind. In 2019, Member States reaffirmed their shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda, with leaders calling for a decade of action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals by...
Download Chapter 1 (PDF)
Chapter 2
Maintenance of international peace and security

Maintenance of international peace and security

As the United Nations marks 75 years of work for the maintenance of international peace and security, our efforts encounter complex and multifaceted challenges, many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2019, for example, 79.5 million people had been displaced by co...
Download Chapter 2 (PDF)
Chapter 3
Development of Africa

Development of Africa

Support for African priorities constitutes a significant portion of our work. Collectively, the United Nations system, including the Secretariat, assists 54 countries on the continent. Over 40 per cent of spending is delivered in Africa, and two out of every five staff work in the continent. ...
Download Chapter 3 (PDF)
Chapter 4
Promotion and protection of human rights

Promotion and protection of human rights

Fostering peaceful societies and sustainable development goes hand in hand with human rights. Bringing States, civil society, private sector actors and other stakeholders together behind the universal commitment to rights facilitates the building of just and inclusive societies....
Download Chapter 4 (PDF)
Chapter 5
Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance

Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance

The past year has been one of tremendous challenges. The combined impact of protracted and intensifying conflicts, climatic shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed humanitarian needs to unprecedented levels, resulting in more than 166 million people requiring assistance. The number of people displac...
Download Chapter 5 (PDF)
Chapter 6
Promotion of justice and international law

Promotion of justice and international law

In the Charter of the United Nations, the world committed “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained”. This pledge continues to serve as the foundation for Member State interactions in ac...
Download Chapter 6 (PDF)
Chapter 7
Disarmament

Disarmament

Given rising military expenditures, a deteriorating security environment and weakening arms control, disarmament remains particularly relevant. In 2019, military expenditure rose to $1.9 trillion, the highest level since the end of the cold war. ...
Download Chapter 7 (PDF)
Chapter 8
Drug control, crime prevention and combating terrorism

Drug control, crime prevention and combating terrorism

In 2019, transnational organized crime, corruption and terrorism continued to pose major threats around the world. Cybercrime, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and environmental crimes are increasingly linked to State fragility, undermining the rule of law, and illicit drugs remain a risk t...
Download Chapter 8 (PDF)
Chapter 9
Effective functioning of the Organization across priorities

Effective functioning of the Organization across priorities

The shift to a more decentralized Secretariat, the centrepiece of my management reform, has been anchored by a new system of delegation of authority that came into effect in January 2019. The new approach enhances our effectiveness by delegating more responsibility to the point of mandate delivery. ...
Download Chapter 9 (PDF)
Introduction
Introduction

Introduction

In 2020, as the United Nations celebrates 75 years since the Charter’s signing, we have an opportunity to reflect on our shared progress, as well as our common future. Our vision and values – based on...
Download Introduction (PDF)
Chapter 1
Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development

Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development

Now in its fifth year of implementation, work on the 2030 Agenda is accelerating, guided by the pledge of leaving no one behind. In 2019, Member States reaffirmed their shared commitment to the 2030...
Download Chapter 1 (PDF)
Chapter 2
Maintenance of international peace and security

Maintenance of international peace and security

As the United Nations marks 75 years of work for the maintenance of international peace and security, our efforts encounter complex and multifaceted challenges, many of which have been exacerbated by ...
Download Chapter 2 (PDF)
Chapter 3
Development of Africa

Development of Africa

Support for African priorities constitutes a significant portion of our work. Collectively, the United Nations system, including the Secretariat, assists 54 countries on the continent. Over 40 per cen...
Download Chapter 3 (PDF)
Chapter 4
Promotion and protection of human rights

Promotion and protection of human rights

Fostering peaceful societies and sustainable development goes hand in hand with human rights. Bringing States, civil society, private sector actors and other stakeholders together behind the universal...
Download Chapter 4 (PDF)
Chapter 5
Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance

Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance

The past year has been one of tremendous challenges. The combined impact of protracted and intensifying conflicts, climatic shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed humanitarian needs to unprecedented ...
Download Chapter 5 (PDF)
Chapter 6
Promotion of justice and international law

Promotion of justice and international law

In the Charter of the United Nations, the world committed “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can ...
Download Chapter 6 (PDF)
Chapter 7
Disarmament

Disarmament

Given rising military expenditures, a deteriorating security environment and weakening arms control, disarmament remains particularly relevant. In 2019, military expenditure rose to $1.9 trillion, the...
Download Chapter 7 (PDF)
Chapter 8
Drug control, crime prevention and combating terrorism

Drug control, crime prevention and combating terrorism

In 2019, transnational organized crime, corruption and terrorism continued to pose major threats around the world. Cybercrime, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and environmental crimes are in...
Download Chapter 8 (PDF)
Chapter 9
Effective functioning of the Organization across priorities

Effective functioning of the Organization across priorities

The shift to a more decentralized Secretariat, the centrepiece of my management reform, has been anchored by a new system of delegation of authority that came into effect in January 2019. The new appr...
Download Chapter 9 (PDF)