NextFin news, UNITED NATIONS, New York — On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced a proposal to cut the UN's regular budget for 2026 by more than 15%, equivalent to approximately $500 million. This proposal was communicated to UN member states and personnel.
The budget reduction would result in the elimination of 2,681 positions across the organization, representing a 19% cut in the workforce funded by the regular budget. The cuts will affect the UN's three main pillars: peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development, while programs for least-developed countries will be spared.
Guterres indicated that some staff members may face relocation, with at least 200 personnel expected to move from Geneva and New York to less expensive cities such as Nairobi. Others may experience changes in job functions or reporting lines, and some will face separation from service.
The Secretary-General initially proposed maintaining the 2026 budget at the 2025 level of around $3.7 billion but revised the figure downward to about $3.238 billion as part of his UN80 Initiative aimed at making the organization more agile and efficient.
The proposed budget cut comes amid chronic liquidity problems faced by the UN, exacerbated by delayed or incomplete payments from member states. The United States, which traditionally covers 22% of the UN's regular budget, was reported to be $1.5 billion in arrears as of January 2025 and has made no payments since the return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
The future of US contributions remains uncertain following the country's withdrawal from several UN agencies and a congressional vote in July 2025 to rescind previously approved funding.
The proposed budget and staffing changes will be subject to a vote in the UN General Assembly before the end of 2025.
Source: Le Temps (September 17, 2025), Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), mezha.net, thesun.my
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