UNGA 80 marks an important milestone, eight decades of the United Nations’ work. Yet, despite nearly a century of global engagement, trust in multilateralism is faltering. The world is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises: rising armed conflicts, accelerating climate change, the rollback of human rights, and the continued shrinking of civic space.
As in previous years, New York’s Midtown was heavily barricaded, with heightened security to welcome world leaders to the General Assembly Hall for their speeches and high-level engagements. Alongside these events, civil society representatives from around the world gathered to connect, collaborate, and advocate on the margins of the General Assembly. Unlike past years, when major gatherings such as the Summit of the Future or the SDG Summit were attached to the UNGA and accompanied by official civil society action days, this year saw fewer opportunities for organised participation. The absence of such spaces, combined with funding cuts and immigration challenges, contributed to a possible decline in in-person civil society engagement during the High-Level Week in New York City.
CIVICUS was represented by Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana and UN Advisor Jesselina Rana. The week began with CIVICUS’ annual Civil Society Meet and Greet, followed by active participation in and support for multiple conversations among civil society actors. These focused on themes such as Democracy and Civic Space, the race for the next Madam Secretary-General through a transparent and accountable selection process, and other key issues shaping global civil society engagement.
EVENTS SUPPORTED
On Civil Society Engagement and Networking
On Democracy and Civic Space 
On the Race for the Next Madam Secretary-General Through a Transparent and Accountable Selection Process
MORE RESOURCES
- CIVICUS LENS ARTICLE ON UN80
- UN80 PRESS RELEASE
- PUBLISHED OP-ED ON UN80
For more information please contact Jesselina Rana, UN Advisor at
