Press Release

Accelerating Sustainable Development Progress: New UN Report Says Revitalised Resident Coordinator System Delivers Efficiency to Improve Lives

20 May 2025

New York, 20 May 2025 – The United Nations will release a new report detailing the significant advancements in the effectiveness and efficiency of the revitalised Resident Coordinator (RC) system in supporting countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To be presented by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, the report outlines how the RC system helps deliver tangible results, including substantial operational efficiencies and enhanced partnerships, by strengthening coherence and aligning programmes more closely with national development priorities.

The UNSDG Chair report will follow the presentation of the Secretary-General's report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system.

WHAT:

Presentation of the 2025 Report of the Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) on DCO and the RC system at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Segment on Operational Activities for Development.

The full report is available on the website of the UN Development Coordination Office

The interactive online version is on the website of the UN Sustainable Development Group

WHEN:

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:

ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Watch live on UN WebTV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1k/k1kb6dka02

WHO:

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group
Oscar Fernández-Taranco, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Evidence of the RC system’s success in supporting countries to fast-track SDG progress.
Data from 2024 indicates that 98 per cent of host governments confirmed UN programmes were closely aligned with their development needs.
Findings show nearly nine out of 10 host governments praised stronger RC leadership and collaboration across the UN system in 2024.
Insights into how RCs are catalysing policy reforms, unlocking co-financing for sustainable development and improving crisis response.
Details on the expanding role of RCs in leveraging partnerships, with 90 per cent of host governments reporting that RCs contributed to leveraging partnerships in support of national SDG efforts.

USEFUL LINKS: