Guterres proposes a $3.3 billion UN programme budget for 2027, 1.2 per cent below 2026
13 October 2026
UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented a $3.3 billion programme budget proposal for 2027 on Tuesday.
The proposal is a cut of $40.8 million and is 1.2 per cent below the 2026 approved level.
He presented it to the General Assembly's Fifth Committee, made up of all 193 Member States, which handles administrative and budgetary matters.
Under the UN80 Initiative he proposed post relocations across 12 entities, the largest to Nairobi, and the downgrading of 14 senior positions.
For the first time the budget includes standard-cost adjustments from the outset, so there will be no separate recosting later.
He said efficiency alone cannot fix the liquidity crisis and that Member States must pay their dues in full and on time.
In plain words
Fifth Committee Administrative and Budgetary Committee — The General Assembly committee of all Member States that deals with UN administration and budgets.
UN80 Initiative — The Secretary-General's reform drive to make the UN Secretariat more efficient, launched as the UN neared 80 years.
Recosting — Re-calculating a budget later in the year for changes in prices and exchange rates.