The UN plans to cut nearly a fifth of its positions as unpaid member dues climb to $1.59 trillion.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced a 15.1% budget cut and an 18.8% reduction in staff for 2026, setting the budget at $3.24 billion. The cuts, amounting to 2,681 positions, aim to address a liquidity crisis caused by unpaid dues from member states, including the US and China. Despite these reductions, the budget for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees will remain unchanged. The UN will also save $24.5 million annually by terminating two leases in New York by late 2027.
