To mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, UN-ANDI held its fifth UN Day event on 28 October 2025—a global panel discussion on “Impact of the UN80 Initiative and its Future Directions” — featuring perspectives of staff and staff leaders across the UN system.

 

In the UN Day message on behalf of UN-ANDI, Ms. Shihana Mohamed (ICSC), Founding Member and UN-ANDI Coordinator, called for a transparent, inclusive, and equitable reform process under the UN80 Initiative that protects diversity and upholds the UN’s principles of dignity, justice, and multilateralism.

 

The keynote address was delivered by Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary-General of the UN, and Honorary UN-ANDI Member. He emphasized that “The UN does not need to be reinvented; it needs to be re-inspired. And that inspiration must come not from the corridors of power but from the conscience of humanity."

 

The panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Zarqaa Chohan (UNICEF), UN-ANDI Coordinator, focused on the impact of the UN80 Initiative on staff, programmes, mandates, and the very principles of global governance and multilateralism.

 

Ms. Narda Cupidore, President of UN Staff Union said the UN80 initiative highlighted both the UN’s achievements and its shortcomings: it exposed issues of exclusion and inequality but also showcased the strength and resilience of its staff—something the organization can be proud of.

 

Ms. Wadzanai Garwe (FAO), President of Federation of International Civil Servants' Association (FICSA), emphasized the importance of returning to core principles of the UN Charter, saying we must renew our understanding of integrity and impartiality.

 

Mr. Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir (UN Women), Founding Member and UN-ANDI Coordinator, stressed that in today’s fragmented world, the UN and the UN80 agenda must be rooted in equality, inclusive development and human rights, and that the UN should harness the collective expertise of its staff to stay resilient and relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape.

 

Mr. Takashi Kamishiro (UNFIL), UN-ANDI Coordinator, stressed that UN-ANDI is vital for addressing the career and recognition challenges faced by Asian UN field staff and promoting racial equity across the UN system. Ms. Rashmi Subramanian (UNOG), UN-ANDI Coordinator, spoke about the uncertainty in changes that staff are experiencing and emphasized that even in this transition we must protect people’s dignity and keep inclusion, empathy, and fairness at the centre.

 

Ms. Anita Mathur, a former UN staff and UN-ANDI Member, offered practical advice on bridging our UN experiences with the outside world as we transition beyond the organization.

 

In the closing remarks, Ms. Frances Enriquez (UN), UN-ANDI Coordinator, invited participants to join UN-ANDI as members or allies to work towards a fairer, stronger, and more resilient organization.

 

 

Watch the event recording (Any opinions expressed represent the personal views of those individuals who expressed them).

 

 

About the Authors:

Shihana Mohamed (ICSC) who is a founding member and one of the Coordinators of the UN-ANDI wrote this article on behalf of UN-ANDI jointly with other Coordinators: Ms. Zarqaa Chohan (UNICEF), Rashmi Subramanian (UNOG), Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir (UN Women); Ms. Frances Enriquez (UN), Yuan Lin (MONUSCO) and Takashi Kamishiro (UNFIL).

 

UN-ANDI is a global network of like-minded Asians of the United Nations system who strive to promote a more diverse and inclusive culture and mindset within the UN system. UN-ANDI is the first ever effort to bring together the diverse group of personnel (staff, retirees, consultants, interns, diplomats, and others) from Asia and the Pacific (nationality/origin/descent) in the UN system. Please visit our website https://www.un-andi.org for more information. We invite all staff and affiliated personnel within the UN system, who are committed to tackling inequality and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, to join UN-ANDI as members or allies by contacting us at info@un-andi.org