Revised estimates, communicated on Monday to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (PASTQ), propose 15.1 percent of resources and 18.8 percent of the positions in the regular budget compared to 2025. The support account for peace maintenance operations, which finances the staff and services that the Missions of the UN retrospective are also subject to writing in the period 2025/26.
The PASTQ, a subsidiary body that advises the General Assembly, will review the proposals before sending its recommendations to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, where all 193 Member States decide on administrative and budgetary matters.
Directed reductions
In a letter to the Member States, Secretary General António Guterres said that the reductions followed an extensive review of how the mandates are delivered and the resources are assigned. While guaranteeing the balance between the three pillars of the UN Charter (Peace and Security, Human Rights and Sustainable Development, the entities of the Secretariat explored how to improve delivery to optimize the use of resources. Guterres emphasized that the reductions have been carefully calibrated and are attacked, not in all areas.
The programs and activities that directly support the Member States, particularly developed, without coastline and small island developing states, and the defense of the development of Africa was protected from the reductions. Support for the Peace Conservation Fund and the System of Resident Coordinators were maintained. Regional economic commissions will face smaller adjustments, while the Regular Technical Cooperation Program will continue to grow, strengthening support for the construction of capacity for developing countries.
“The reductions in this magnitude will imply compensation. Entities have identified probable impacts on deliverables, such as reduced reach, adjusted deadlines or reduced frequency. We will also take mitigation measures to protect basic mandates and the quality of the service, even by prioritizing high impact results, experience in entities in the entities and dependence on virtual modalities and automation of the secretary-general.
The UN today operates in a world of growing political and financial uncertainty. In this challenging environment, the Un80 initiative aims to create a stronger and more effective united nations. Revised estimates reflect this ambition and include proposals to improve the way in which the organization operates.
Reform measures
In this context, together with the reductions, the reviewed estimates also introduce the first set of proposals for the UN Secretariat Bajo Worktream 1 of the UNA80 initiative, focused on management and operations. The measures include the creation of new administrative centers in New York and Bangkok, consolidating the payroll in a single global team in New York, Enterbbe and Nairobi, and relocating some functions of high -cost service stations such as New York and Geneva to the lowest cost service stations.
More savings are planned through real estate. The organization will vacate two buildings leased in New York for 2027, with annual savings projected from 2028. Together, these measures are intended to reduce duplication, improve the quality and delivery of safeguard mandates, while complying with the call of the Member States for greater efficiency.
The Un80 initiative
Run in March 2025, the initiative is built around three work transmissions.
- Work work 1Proposals on efficiencies and management improvements are reflected for the first time in these reviewed estimates, with additional proposals for the reform to continue at a later stage.
- Work work 2 In the implementation of the mandate, with a report presented in August now under consideration by an informal informal work group recently established, which meets on September 16.
- Work work 3 It focuses on exploring possible structural and programmatic realignments through groups throughout the system, and the initial proposals are expected to be presented to the Member States at the end of this week.
Together, the three work transmissions mark a significant reorientation of how the UN operates, with the aim of ensuring that the organization remains effective, credible and sustainable, said the secretary general.
Following steps and staff support
Revised estimates will be reviewed first by the PSE, which is expected to celebrate hearings from this week. The proposals will be allocated to the fifth committee of the General Assembly, where all 193 Member States negotiate and decide on administrative and budgetary matters. A decision is expected in December.
If adopted, the changes would begin to enter into force in 2026 with the gradual implementation. Other changes resulting from the various works will be reflected in future budget presentations.
In a letter to the UN staff, Guterres acknowledged that the changes would affect their daily work and their professional life, but assured them that they would not face them alone. “You will be fully compromised and supported throughout the process,” he said, promising regular communication, opportunities for consultation and practical orientation at each stage.
The general secretary acknowledged that the elections involved in the reviewed budget had been difficult. He said that the responsibility for decisions began with him as general secretary, but also extended to managers and personnel of the entire organization. He stressed that changes should be carried out with equity, empathy and professionalism, and that everyone has a role to play in defending UN values ​​as the process progresses.