The United Nations is considering a radical restructuring, merging of key units and reallocation of resources, Reuters reported, citing a confidential six-page memorandum prepared by the working group of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The document proposes consolidating dozens of agencies in four main areas: peace and security, humanitarian affairs, sustainable development and human rights. Specific measures include merging the operational structures of the World Food Program, UNICEF, WHO and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees into a single humanitarian body. The reform includes eliminating duplication of functions and streamlining staff, as well as relocating some staff from Geneva and New York to lower-cost cities.
The initiative is linked to the UN's financial crisis: the US, the organisation's main donor, owes $1.5 billion from the regular budget and $1.2 billion from peacekeeping operations.
The US aid cuts have already led to a 20% cut in the humanitarian affairs department and threaten to cut 6,000 jobs at the International Organisation for Migration.
Guterres called the reform a response to "fragmented structures and bureaucracy", but hundreds of UN staff protested in Geneva on 1 May against the cuts. Final restructuring proposals must be submitted by May 16.
On February 4, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. He criticized the UN's activities, expressing the opinion that this structure "has enormous potential" but has long failed to realize it. In addition, the American leader believes that the UN is "not very well managed".