In brief
The United Nations is responding to potential funding cuts from the US government by asking its agencies to propose budget reductions and staff relocations to save costs.
The United Nations (UN) is on high alert as it prepares for possible funding cuts from the United States, following President Trump's recent executive order to review US contributions to the global body. In a memo from Secretary General António Guterres, UN agencies are instructed to draft plans for budget cuts, including relocating staff from expensive cities like New York and Geneva to more affordable locations. The memo, which sets a May 15 deadline for proposals, aims to identify functions that could be downsized or transferred to combat financial concerns.This strategic move was largely anticipated by UN officials, who are bracing for the adverse effects of potential cuts. Trump's previous withdrawal from several UN organizations and a history of reducing US contributions to various programs raised concerns among UN departments. However, the budget cuts also stem from broader financial struggles within the UN, including delayed payments from member states and decreased contributions from major donors. As the deadline approaches, UN agencies are scrambling to ensure they can adapt to a potentially leaner operational model.
