EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Briefing on UN80 Reform and the Humanitarian Compact

EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Briefing on UN80 Reform and the Humanitarian Compact

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Statement 

Madam President, distinguished colleagues, 

I deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its member states. 

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Under-Secretary-General Ryder, Under-Secretary-General Fletcher, UN University Rector, Mr. Marwala, and UNITAR Executive Director, Ms. Gyles-Mcdonnough, thank you for your detailed and forward-looking briefings. We would like to reaffirm our strong support to the UN80 Initiative, and we particularly welcome your emphasis on field-level impact, as well as simplified practices, digital transformation, streamlined training and research, and empowered Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators. We also appreciate the work on the efficiency gains across the UN system’s research institutions according to work package #17. 

As we approach the first anniversary of the Humanitarian Reset, this is a moment to acknowledge progress, take stock of collective achievements, identify opportunities for continued impact and showcase the ability of the humanitarian community to work together towards shared goals. In this respect, let me highlight our main observations on the Humanitarian Compact: 

1. The EU welcomes the development of a light scorecard mechanism to increase the accountability of the humanitarian system. We expect that this will include concrete measures, a clear and reasonable timeline, tangible efficiencies, and savings in support of the UN working as one under the empowered leadership of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinators. 

2. Reform cannot succeed without strong and reliable enablers. The EU is steering the work on supply chains and is pleased with the wide endorsement of the conclusions from the high-level conference of the Humanitarian Leadership Group on Supply Chain, held in Brussels last December. We would appreciate updates on how enablers and shared services will be integrated into the reform agenda, particularly including logistics, shared services and data. We would also seek further clarity on the next steps for the [Humanitarian Data Collaborative] Steering Group and the Data Governance Group, and how the Humanitarian 

Data Collaborative will ensure a holistic approach, covering beneficiary data, identity management, and supply chain analytics. 

We would also value an understanding of steps taken on localisation. The 70% pooled funding target for local actors is both ambitious and necessary. We would appreciate an update on the next concrete steps to meet this goal and reinforce the principles of equitable partnerships. In particular, it would be valuable to hear more about steps to be taken to increase the quantity and quality of funding for local and national partners and provide capacity strengthening support in fragile contexts. 

3. Strengthened and more coherent humanitarian diplomatic engagement is critical to defend humanitarian principles, support humanitarian access and enhance the protection of civilians, including humanitarian staff. We are witnessing ever increasing challenges in these areas, which collectively we need to urgently address. What are some of the early learnings from the collaborative humanitarian diplomacy initiative that you have been undertaking? 

4.Finally, our success relies on consistent, open and transparent consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including donors, and international and local actors. The European Union and its member states remain committed to engaging regularly with the ERC and IASC [Inter-Agency Standing Committee] and stand ready to further support OCHA’s mandate and the ERC’s efforts - also by providing an “EU-only” total of 1.9bn EUR for humanitarian assistance in 2026 - to conduct successful humanitarian negotiations and renewed humanitarian diplomacy and to coordinate a humanitarian system that delivers assistance rapidly, efficiently and in line with humanitarian principles. 

Dear colleagues, 

The Humanitarian Reset is about saving lives more effectively, upholding dignity, and proving that multilateralism can deliver in a fragmented world. The challenges ahead are significant, but so is the opportunity. 

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process. , Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.