UN Chief Issues ‘UN 2.0’ Policy Brief: Vision for Modernized UN System

On Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued his final Policy Brief on Our Common Agenda, titled “UN 2.0: Cutting-Edge Skills and Forward-Thinking Culture for UN System Impact.”

The UN Secretary-General said: "UN 2.0 unlocks novel, impactful approaches and solutions for SDG progress, at a time when it is needed the most."

UN 2.0 represents a vision for a rejuvenated United Nations system, better equipped to support member states in the twenty-first century and turbocharge progress on the SDGs, according to a statement recently released by the UN.

At the core of UN 2.0 are stronger capabilities in five modern areas of expertise: a dynamic fusion of data, innovation, digital, behavioral science and strategic foresight, which we call our “quintet of change.”

In order to foster environments where these cutting-edge skills thrive, the UN 2.0 will be rooted in a shift towards organizational cultures that put a priority on agility, learning, and creativity.

The statement also noted that the UN 2.0 agenda will engage the entire UN system.

Every UN entity, team, and colleague will contribute to this transformative organizational shift in learning, job profiles, partnerships, knowledge sharing, technology, as well as programme solutions for member states, the statement read.

While each UN entity will navigate the transformation at its own pace, a joint accelerator program will champion UN 2.0's progression throughout the United Nations system starting in 2024.