IPRA supports “We the peoples: shaping the future of the UN”
4 hours, 54 minutes ago
Open only to qualified UN non-government representatives, such as IPRA and its five-person bureau in New York, the UN on 9 July conducted a special event to solicit opinions as to how it can retrench in the face of “a rapidly changing global landscape.”
That phrase is no understatement.
Even within its own universe, the UN is being besieged by financial issues and political criticism. The United States withholding of significant funds is undermining administrative and field operations. Moreover, a rising big-powers political friction does not help, and is ironic given the UN was formed to bridge post-WW2 political fractures.
A UN statement prior to the hearing, said “there is growing recognition that renewed commitment, shared conversations and broader participation are essential to shaping (the UN’s) future.”
In other words, what was working well enough since the mid-20th century isn’t working well enough thus far into the 21st century. At the outset of the hearing, it was noted that change and more “forward thinking” will have to be embraced, and reforms enacted within 10 years. That is warp speed for the UN.
Many reforms have been discussed in more recent years from financial and programmatic administration, security council expansion or retraction, and the tightening of NGO credential renewals.
In his opening remarks, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres cited the failure to reach the 2030 milestones for the Sustainable Development Goals. He said with four years to go, only about a third of the original goals have been reached. He said part of the reason for the lagging results was “fierce geopolitical headwinds.” Yet, much of the blame can be put on the inability of local government to get support from their national government.
Additionally, not enough NGOs have been able to effectively propagate these SDGs. That has not been an issue for IPRA which included in its most recent credentialing renewal a package of impressive communications and outreach initiates including the GWA and speaking opportunities in Serbia, Croatia, Ghana, Italy and the UK.
Jim McQueeny contributed to this report.
Upcoming at the UN:
- UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development - UN HQ New York, USA - 7-15 July 2026
- Beyond the Badge: Navigating the United Nations & Global Conferences as a Nurse Policy Entrepreneur - Virtual - 11 July 2026
- Intersectionality as Economy: Connecting SDGs 6, 7, 9, and 17 for Impact through Local Action and Powering Progress - Virtual - 14 July 2026
**Any IPRA members interested in taking part in any of the above listed events in person or virtually should reach out to [email protected] for more information.
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