The United Nations has released revised estimates for its 2026 programme budget, projecting more than $500 million in cuts as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen efficiency and resilience.
The adjustments, presented Monday to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), represent a 15.1% reduction in financial resources and an 18.8% cut in staffing levels compared with 2025. Peacekeeping support services, which provide staff and operational backing for UN missions, will also experience reductions during the 2025–2026 period.
The proposals will undergo review by the ACABQ before being forwarded to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, where all 193 Member States decide on administrative and budgetary matters.
In a letter to Member States, Secretary-General António Guterres explained that the cuts followed a comprehensive review of how mandates are delivered and how resources are allocated. He emphasized that the reductions were targeted rather than across the board, with protections in place for programmes serving the most vulnerable states—particularly least developed countries, landlocked states, small island developing states, and initiatives focused on Africa’s development.
Support for the Peacebuilding Fund and the Resident Coordinator system will be preserved, while regional economic commissions will face smaller adjustments. Capacity-building through the regular technical cooperation programme will continue to expand.
Guterres acknowledged that reductions of this scale would require trade-offs, including narrower scopes, adjusted timelines, or fewer outputs. To mitigate the impact, the UN plans to prioritize high-impact programmes, pool expertise, and increase reliance on digital tools and automation.
As part of the broader UN80 Initiative, marking the organization’s 80th anniversary, several structural changes will be introduced. These include establishing new administrative hubs in New York and Bangkok, consolidating payroll functions across New York, Entebbe, and Nairobi, and relocating selected operations from high-cost locations like New York and Geneva to lower-cost duty stations. The UN also intends to vacate two leased buildings in New York by 2027, generating significant annual savings from 2028 onward.
In a message to UN staff, Guterres admitted that the reforms would affect daily work and professional routines but assured them of full engagement, support, and open communication throughout the process. He stressed that while the decisions were difficult, accountability began with him and extended to all levels of management, urging that the changes be implemented with fairness, empathy, and professionalism.