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A Renewed Commitment to Strengthening the United Nations For Its Next Era

By  |  February 13, 2026

By: Justin Spelhaug (Microsoft On the Issues)

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    In this piece for Microsoft’s On the Issues blog, author Justin Spelhaug shares Microsoft’s stated commitment of support to the United Nations, as the organization marks its 80th anniversary amidst pressure to deliver faster results with tightening resources and growing demands. The UN80 initiative, launched by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, aims to make the organization more agile, accountable, and efficient.  The AI era presents a unique opportunity to fundamentally reshape how the UN delivers services globally, Spelhaug continues, from procurement and supply chains to humanitarian response.

    Microsoft is announcing a comprehensive pledge to support UN80 through four key pillars: establishing a multi-million-dollar innovation fund for AI and digital initiatives, offering specialized affordable pricing for UN systems through June 2027, providing free AI and digital literacy training to all UN staff, and mobilizing private sector partners to contribute resources and expertise. EY has joined as the first partner in this coalition, bringing industry experience to support UN80-aligned initiatives.

    The commitment builds on Microsoft’s existing collaborations across the UN system, including work with UNICEF on digital learning platforms reaching millions of children, partnerships with UNHCR using AI for refugee onboarding and camp mapping, and the Women in Digital Business initiative with ILO that equips women entrepreneurs with digital skills. These projects demonstrate how technology can strengthen the UN’s capacity to deliver at scale in challenging environments.

    To ensure effective implementation, Microsoft is creating a dedicated UN80 engagement team to coordinate with UN leadership, align priorities, and deploy resources strategically. Spelhaug expresses hope that this partnership will inspire broader private sector action and help the UN modernize its systems for the next 80 years with greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency…

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