UN Secretary-General proposes $577 million and 18% job cuts by 2026

(CLO) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on December 1 proposed cutting the United Nations budget by $577 million and more than 18% of its jobs in 2026.

Mr Guterres is seeking to improve efficiency and cut costs as the world body turns 80 this year amid a financial crisis, largely caused by US cuts in contributions.

"We ended 2024 with an overdue arrears of $760 million, of which $709 million remains unpaid from 2024. We also have not received $877 million in 2025 dues and so the overdue arrears now stand at $1,586 million," Secretary-General Guterres told the 193-member UN General Assembly Budget Committee.

The United Nations headquarters seen from First Avenue in New York City, USA. Photo: UN

He proposed a core budget of $3.238 billion for 2026, down 15% from this year. This budget includes political , humanitarian, disarmament, economic, social and communications activities.

Contributions to most United Nations agencies, funds and programs—such as the World Food Programme and the children's organization UNICEF—are voluntary.

In October, senior UN officials said a quarter of peacekeeping forces in nine operations around the world would be cut due to budget shortfalls and as future funding from the United States remained uncertain.

The United States is the largest contributor to the UN's core budget, with the maximum contribution being 22% as determined by the General Assembly. US President Donald Trump has described the UN as having "tremendous potential" but said it has not lived up to that potential. As a result, he wants to cut US funding to the UN.

In March, Mr. Guterres established a reform task force, known as UN80, aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency in U.N. operations.

Source: https://congluan.vn/tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-de-xuat-cat-giam-577-trieu-usd-va-18-viec-lam-vao-nam-2026-10320040.html