UN may cut staff by 20 per cent, internal memo says
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
The United Nations Secretariat is preparing to cut its $US3.7 billion budget by 20 per cent and slash about 6900 jobs, according to an internal memo.
The directive, which asks staff to detail cuts by June 13, comes amid a financial crisis triggered in part by the United States, which annually funds nearly a quarter of the world body.
In addition to US foreign aid cuts under President Donald Trump that have gutted UN humanitarian agencies, the US owes - for arrears and the current fiscal year - nearly $US1.5 billion.
The memo's author, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan, did not cite the US failure to pay.
He noted that the cuts are part of a review launched in March dubbed UN80.
"It is an ambitious effort to ensure that the United Nations is fit for purpose to support 21st-century multilateralism, reduce human suffering and build better lives and futures for all," Ramanathan said.
"I count on your co-operation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognised."
The cuts would take effect on January 1, the start of the next budget cycle.
In public briefings to UN diplomats this month, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is considering a massive overhaul that would merge major departments and shift resources across the globe.
He said the UN may consolidate some agencies, trim others, move staff to cheaper cities, cut duplication and eliminate redundant bureaucracy.
"These are times of peril, but they are also times of profound opportunity and obligation," Guterres said on May 12. "Make no mistake: uncomfortable and difficult decisions lie ahead. It may be easier and even tempting to ignore them or kick the can down the roads. But that road is a dead end."
The US failure to pay its assessments has also created a liquidity crisis for the UN, a problem exacerbated by China's repeated late payments. Together, the two nations account for more than 40 per cent of UN funding.
In addition, the Trump administration has withdrawn hundreds of millions of dollars in discretionary funds, forcing the abrupt halt of dozens of humanitarian programs that UN officials have said will cost lives.
The proposed US budget for the coming year, which must be approved by Congress, has eliminated or drastically reduced funding for several UN programs, including peacekeeping.
A US State Department spokesperson did not comment on the proposed UN cuts, but said a Trump-ordered study was due by early August.
"Funding for the UN, along with other international organisations, is currently under review," the spokesperson said.
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