Nathalie Meynet, the newly elected President of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA), has hit the ground running in her new role. In a recent letter addressed to Philémon Yunji Yang, President of the General Assembly, and to all Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives accredited to the United Nations in New York, Meynet expressed her commitment to advancing the rights and interests of the 60,000 international staff working within the UN system.
As the leader of CCISUA, Meynet represents a diverse group of unions and associations, representing staff from various UN agencies and programs around the world. Her letter, which was warmly received by the recipients, outlined the key priorities of CCISUA and its members.
At the forefront of these priorities is the protection and promotion of the rights of international staff. Meynet emphasized the need for stronger mechanisms to address issues such as harassment, discrimination, and retaliation within the UN system. She called for an independent and impartial investigation process to ensure that staff members feel safe and supported in reporting any violations.
In addition, Meynet highlighted the importance of providing international staff with fair and equitable employment conditions. This includes addressing concerns such as job security, remuneration, benefits, and disability policies. CCISUA firmly believes that a well-treated and fairly compensated staff is a more motivated and effective workforce, which ultimately benefits the work of the UN.
Meynet also expressed her support for gender equality within the UN system, calling for more women in leadership positions and equal pay for equal work. She emphasized the need for diversity and inclusion at all levels, and urged the organization to take concrete actions to achieve this goal.
One of CCISUA’s key goals is to ensure that international staff have a voice and are involved in decision-making processes within the UN. Meynet highlighted the importance of consulting with staff members on issues that directly affect them and providing them with opportunities for meaningful participation in decision-making.
The letter also touched on the need for more transparent and efficient management of the UN’s financial resources. Meynet called for a review of the current budgetary process to ensure that resources are allocated in a fair and responsible manner, taking into account the needs and priorities of international staff.
Meynet’s letter also conveyed CCISUA’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders, including the General Assembly and UN member states, to address these urgent issues. She emphasized the vital role of collaboration in achieving meaningful and sustainable change within the UN system.
In her closing remarks, Meynet reiterated her determination to advocate for the rights and interests of international staff and to work towards a stronger, fairer, and more effective UN. She encouraged all stakeholders to join forces with CCISUA and support its efforts to bring about positive change within the organization.
The CCISUA President’s letter has been met with widespread approval and appreciation from all corners of the UN community. It has served as a powerful reminder of the important role that international staff play in the success of the organization and the need to address their legitimate concerns and grievances.
As Meynet and CCISUA continue their work, there is no doubt that their dedication and commitment will bring about positive and meaningful change within the UN system. International staff can take comfort in knowing that they have strong, passionate, and capable leaders representing their interests and fighting for their rights. The future looks bright for international staff at the UN, and we can all look forward to a more fair, inclusive, and effective organization under the leadership of Nathalie Meynet and CCISUA.
