Over 60 offices, agencies, and operations of the United Nations have been asked to submit proposals by mid-June to reduce their staff by 20%. This initiative is part of a significant reform effort aimed at consolidating operations due to a severe funding shortfall, AP reported.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, highlighted that the proposed job cuts are a result of diminishing UN resources over the past seven years, as several member countries either fail to pay their annual dues or do not pay them on time.
Notably, the proposal to reduce the workforce comes after President Trump announced funding cuts to the global organisation.
After entering the White House for the second time, Trump issued an executive order seeking a general review of all US contributions to the UN. Following this, the administration announced it would not resume funding for UNRWA.
Additionally, Trump issued an executive order halting most US foreign aid for ninety days and also announced withdrawal from the WHO, stating it “continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States.”
The US was expected to pay 22% of the regular budget of the UN. In 2024, of the 193 member countries, 152 paid their dues in full, including China, while 41 countries, including the United States, did not.
