UN will cut 2026 budget by $577m by slashing workforce

"The UN will make up the shortfall by cutting 2,681 positions across multiple UN agencies, which he said, correspond to functions that, in our opinion, can be done better by others or can be reduced by efficiencies. Some 18 percent of UN posts are already vacant due to its ongoing liquidity crisis from unpaid member dues and other debts, the secretary-general said."

"As of September, the shortfall came from unpaid dues from the United States, China, Russia and Mexico, according to a separate UN statement. Guterres said the budget for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees the UNRWA will remain intact due to the high level of demand in Palestine. I made the decision to exempt UNRWA from any reductions that would have dramatic consequences on the backbone of the entire humanitarian response in Gaza, Guterres said."

The UN set its 2026 budget at $3.24 billion, a $577 million reduction from 2025, and will cut spending by 15.1 percent. Member states' unpaid dues have climbed to $1.59 trillion, with shortfalls from the United States, China, Russia and Mexico. The UN will eliminate 2,681 positions across agencies to cover the gap, while 18 percent of posts are already vacant due to a liquidity crisis. The UNRWA budget will remain intact to support high demand in Palestine. The budget for special political missions will be cut to $543.6 million, a 21.6 percent reduction.

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