The United Nations has revised its proposed 2026 programme budget, slashing more than $500 million in response to financial pressures.
The cuts, shared Monday with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), represent a 15.1% reduction in resources and an 18.8% cut in posts compared to 2025. Peacekeeping support operations will also face reductions.
Secretary-General António Guterres said the review was part of the new UN80 Initiative, aimed at making the organisation leaner and more resilient as it marks its 80th anniversary.
He stressed the cuts were “carefully calibrated,” shielding programmes that directly benefit least developed, landlocked and small island states, as well as Africa-focused initiatives. Support for the Peacebuilding Fund and the Resident Coordinator system remains intact.
To drive efficiency, the UN plans to:
Create new administrative hubs in New York and Bangkok.
Consolidate payroll into a global team across New York, Entebbe and Nairobi.
Shift functions from costly duty stations like New York and Geneva to lower-cost locations.
Vacate two leased buildings in New York by 2027, with annual savings projected from 2028.
Guterres acknowledged the changes would affect UN staff but promised consultation, guidance, and fairness throughout the process.
“The UN today operates in a world of growing political and financial uncertainty,” he said, adding that the revised budget reflects the organisation’s commitment to greater efficiency while safeguarding core mandates.
