The UN2020 Initiative is a civil society campaign calling for using the 75^th anniversary of the United Nations as an opportunity to review and strengthen the organization.

The campaign has accelerated in recent months following adoption (June 2019) of a UN “modalities resolution” that sets out the framework for the 2020 commemorative activities and Leaders Summit. The theme for the 75^th anniversary year is “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism.”

The UN Secretariat has developed an ambitious proposal for a “global dialogue” on “The Future We Want, the UN We Need.” UN2020 is working closely with the UN@75 Secretariat’s team, led by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Preparations for the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary, Fabrizio Hochschild. The UN2020 campaign organized four separate events in June and July enabling Hochschild to engage with various civil society networks on the specifics of the UN@75 program.

Up next is a meeting in Salt Lake City Utah, the 68^th UN Civil Society Conference. Over 5,000 NGO representatives are expected to attend. UN75 preparations will be discussed at one of the seven plenary sessions, as well as at a workshop on how CSOs can get involved, and an information booth. Check the conference’s websitefor details on which events will be available to watch online.

The Salt Lake City meeting will bring together a growing number of Mayors and representatives of “local authorities” who collectively represent a growing stakeholder group at the United Nations. The theme of the meeting is “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities.”