The United Nations plans to cut 20% of its staff as part of a major reform aimed at optimising the organisation’s operations in the face of limited funding. This was announced by UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the Associated Press reports.
The reform, called UN-80 and launched in March 2025, will involve more than 60 UN agencies, including humanitarian, political, gender, environmental and economic units. All of them must submit proposals for staff reductions by 13 June, which will be taken into account when formulating the 2026 budget.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has set a goal of reducing the current budget of $3.72 billion by 15-20% without cutting international aid, particularly from the United States.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the UNHCR are expected to undergo the most profound changes, having already announced a reduction of up to 30% of their staff, downsizing of regional offices and elimination of up to 50% of their management positions.
UNICEF, the UN Office for Humanitarian Assistance and other agencies are also involved in the reforms. Most of the changes are expected to be implemented by December 2025, the 80th anniversary of the UN.
While 152 out of 193 UN member states paid their full contributions in 2024, 41 states, including the United States, did not, which puts additional financial pressure on the organisation.
