Facing a severe cash crunch, the United Nations has begun 2026 with a reduced budget of $3.45 billion and plans to cut 19 per cent of its workforce.
The General Assembly adopted a budget that broadly reflects Secretary-General António Guterres’ proposal, though it is higher than the $3.238 billion he had initially sought. The approved budget is about $270 million, or 7.25 per cent, lower than the $3.72 billion budget for 2025.
The allocation covers only the UN’s regular operations. Budgets for peacekeeping missions and specialised agencies such as UNESCO and the World Health Organisation are approved separately.
India’s share of the regular budget stands at 1.016 per cent, based on an assessment calculated using a formula that takes into account gross national income, population and other factors.
Addressing the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles budgetary matters, Assistant Secretary-General Chandramouli Ramanathan said that as part of cost-cutting measures, 2,900 positions will be abolished with effect from Friday, while around 1,000 staff members have already agreed to leave.
Commenting on the demanding negotiations among the UN’s 193 member states, Ramanathan said the outcome should not be underestimated.
According to the UN, arrears as of December 1 totalled $1.586 billion, including $709 million in unpaid dues for 2024 and $877 million for 2025. Ramanathan urged member states to pay their 2026 contributions as early as possible to ease the organisation’s financial strain.
Before adopting the budget unanimously, the General Assembly rejected two proposed amendments—one from Russia concerning investigations into human rights violations in Syria, and another from Cuba related to the Secretary-General’s adviser on the right or duty of states to protect citizens from serious atrocities. India abstained on both votes.
The United States remains the largest contributor to the UN, assessed at 22 per cent of the budget, followed by China at 20 per cent. However, the US, under President Donald Trump, has withheld its 2025 contribution despite congressional approval, exacerbating the UN’s cash shortage.
Trump has also proposed cutting US contributions to the UN’s regular budget by $610 million in 2026, a move that could further affect the viability of the newly adopted budget.
(IANS)
