UN Approves $570M Budget Cut and 2,900 Job Reductions by Consensus, Amid Liquidity Crisis and Blacklisting of Israeli Forces

The United Nations reduced its regular budget by approximately $570 million and eliminated 2,900 positions, with the measures approved by consensus of all 193 member states. S. ambassador for United Nations Management and Reform, said the cuts represent the first time in the organization's history that such reductions were achieved through unanimous agreement.

He described the outcome as a "down payment" on further changes. Bartos appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2025 for his confirmation hearing after President Donald Trump nominated him to the post. Lawmakers told him during the hearing that "UN reform?

N. headquarters. Member states are now negotiating peacekeeping budgets for the coming year. The United States is pushing to change the reimbursement methodology for troop-contributing countries' equipment from presence-based payments to payments only when equipment is put into action.

U.S. estimates project the change will save roughly $30 million annually. Bartos said the shift reflects a broader effort to instill efficiency and respect for taxpayer funds. He also identified employee compensation and pensions as the next major targets for review.

Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly warned of a growing liquidity crisis caused by delayed member-state payments, including billions owed by the United States. N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the organization cannot borrow or print money and must execute programs with funds it has not received.

On 28 May, Guterres told member states that genuine reform requires tough choices and that this is no time for complacency, self-interest, or foot-dragging. The UN80 initiative is his flagship effort to cut duplication and review mandates. Guterres' term expires at the end of 2026, and the United Nations is preparing to search for a successor.