Secretary-General Inaugurates UN House in Dhaka, Unlocking USD 1.5 Million in Efficiencies and Advancing Sustainability

During his official visit to Bangladesh, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres inaugurated the new UN House in Dhaka, raising the UN flag alongside government partners to mark a milestone in the UN’s reform journey. Now home to 11 UN agencies and nearly 500 staff, the Common Premises is projected to generate USD 1.5 million in cost efficiencies over the next five years, while also enhancing collaboration and sustainability.

“The establishment of Common Premises for UN agencies at the country level is a core component of my UN reform agenda,” said the Secretary-General. “By bringing UN agencies under one roof, we enhance coordination, reduce duplication, lower administrative costs, and consolidate support services.”

A Model for Efficiency and Integration

The launch of UN House is the result of a two-year planning process, supported by the Government of Bangladesh and led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It reflects the Secretary-General’s broader vision for a more integrated and agile UN system, aligned with recent General Assembly resolutions.

Efficiencies will be achieved through a range of shared services and operational improvements, including:

• Joint security and fleet management
• Consolidated IT, procurement, and cleaning services
• Reduced rental and utility costs
• Use of shared meeting rooms and administrative support
• Elimination of inter-agency commutes, saving time and reducing traffic-related delays

Perhaps most tangibly, meeting a colleague from another agency no longer requires scheduling a car and sitting in Dhaka traffic—it’s now as simple as pressing an elevator button, or better yet, taking the stairs.

Greening the UN: A Commitment to Sustainability

UN House also represents a significant step forward in the UN’s commitment to environmental sustainability. By consolidating operations, the premises are expected to reduce carbon emissions associated with daily commuting and redundant infrastructure. The building is equipped with solar panels to harness renewable energy, and plans are underway to implement waste segregation and recycling systems.

These initiatives support the Greening the UN agenda, reinforcing the organization’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development.

A Symbol of Partnership with Bangladesh

The Secretary-General emphasized that the opening of UN House is more than a logistical achievement—it is a symbol of the UN’s enduring partnership with the Government and people of Bangladesh on the path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This collaborative approach strengthens our collective efforts to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda,” he noted. “Let us go forward into the next decade in the spirit of this strong partnership.”

The new premises house the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), IOM, UNAIDS, UNDSS, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOPS, WFP, and UN Women—representing over half of the UN’s resident agencies and one-third of all UN staff in Dhaka.

With the establishment of a Common Back Office already underway, the UN in Bangladesh is poised to deliver even greater efficiencies and more agile support to national counterparts.

“One roof, shared purpose, stronger results—and a greener future.”