Archive · 2 Dec 2025
UN Chief Proposes $577 Million Budget Cut
The head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has suggested reducing the organization's budget for next year by $577 million.
This means the UN will have less money to spend, and it will also result in the loss of more than 18% of its jobs.
The reason for this is that the UN is facing a money problem, with many countries not paying their dues on time.
The United States, which is the biggest contributor to the UN budget, has also been critical of the organization and wants to reduce its funding.
To tackle these issues, Guterres has started a task force called UN80 to find ways to cut costs and work more efficiently.
It's important to note that the budget for UN peacekeeping operations is separate and not included in these cuts.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed a $577 million cut to the 2026 core budget, reducing it to $3.238 billion, a 15% decrease from 2024.
The proposed budget cut includes political, humanitarian, disarmament, economic, social affairs, and communications work.
Guterres cited significant arrears, totaling $1,586 million, as the reason for the proposed cuts, with the U.S. being the top contributor to the UN core budget.
The UN is facing a cash crisis driven by unpaid dues, with $709 million from 2024 and $877 million from 2025 still outstanding.
Guterres launched the UN80 reform task force in March to cut costs and improve efficiency as the UN turns 80 this year.
- Who
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
- What
- Proposed a $577 million cut to the 2026 UN budget and 18% job cuts
- When
- December 1, 2024
- Where
- United Nations General Assembly budget committee
- Why
- Due to a cash crisis driven by significant arrears, including $709 million from 2024 and $877 million from 2025, totaling $1,586 million
- Job Cuts Proposed
- 18%
- Top Contributor
- United States (22%)
- UN's Age
- 80 years
- Reform Task Force
- UN80
- Peacekeeping Budget
- Separate from core budget