Rebeca Grynspan, a frontrunner to become the next UN secretary-general, told Reuters the United Nations has become "too risk-averse" and must cut jobs, stop bureaucracy and end duplication between agencies.
She said cost-cutting alone is not enough and that "refocusing" is necessary.
Grynspan said she cut 20% of vacancies at UNCTAD, the UN trade and development body she leads.
The choice of the next secretary-general will shape the direction of global diplomacy and the future of the institution.