NEW YORK: The directive, issued under the ongoing reform initiative led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, mandates agencies to submit proposals for workforce reductions by mid-June. The cuts will affect approximately 14,000 regular budget positions, amounting to about 2,800 job losses across the organisation.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the reductions would impact personnel in key areas including political and humanitarian offices, as well as agencies responsible for refugees, international trade, environmental issues, and urban development.

Among those affected is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), alongside various UN peacekeeping operations around the globe.

In a memorandum sent to the concerned departments, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan outlined the scale of the reductions, noting they are part of efforts to trim 15% to 20% from the UN’s current $3.72 billion regular budget.

The UN and its agencies have faced persistent funding shortfalls in recent years due to decreased contributions from several member states, which has severely impacted global relief and development efforts.