The abundance of meetings and reports in UN activities is a problem
The United Nations (UN) has identified significant issues in a new report prepared to enhance its operational efficiency and reduce costs. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
It has been found that almost no one reads the numerous reports being developed by the organization. According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the organization held over 27,000 meetings in 2024, with nearly 240 different bodies participating.
Additionally, the UN Secretariat has prepared over 1,100 official reports, which is 20 percent more than in 1990. Guterres emphasized that the abundance of meetings and reports is exhausting the system and staff.
Most reports are not receiving adequate attention. The most popular 5 percent of reports have been downloaded more than 5,500 times, while every fifth report has been downloaded less than a thousand times.
He also noted that downloading a report does not mean it has been read. To address the issue, Guterres established a special working group called “UN80” in March 2025.
This group is aimed at reforming the organization's activities based on modern requirements. The Secretary-General also drew attention to financial difficulties.
For the past seven years, the UN has been facing a persistent liquidity crisis. This is related to 193 member states not fulfilling their mandatory payments on time and in full.
In his conclusion, Guterres emphasized that there should be fewer meetings and fewer reports. This is necessary to enhance the organization's work efficiency and manage resources wisely.
