Could a Common Administrative Platform Enhance UN Efficiency and Cut Costs?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's bold proposal to establish a common administrative platform could revolutionize the way UN entities operate, aiming to boost efficiency and slash costs. This transformative initiative promises to streamline operations from New York to Bangkok, potentially saving millions and reshaping the organization's future.
Key Takeaways
- Common administrative platform proposed for efficiency.
- Initial implementation in New York and Bangkok.
- Expected savings of $24.5 million annually from 2028.
- Payroll processing to be centralized across three major centers.
- 2026 budget to be reduced by 15.1%.
On December 2, the United Nations (UN) saw a significant proposal from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He suggested establishing a common administrative platform aimed at delivering administrative services to various UN Secretariat entities situated at different duty stations, all in an effort to enhance efficiency and reduce costs throughout the UN system.
This initiative is set to commence at the New York and Bangkok stations, as Guterres presented a revised estimates report regarding the proposed program budget for 2026 and the support account for peacekeeping operations for the 2025/26 period, as noted by the Xinhua news agency.
Guterres emphasized, “This represents a considerable improvement of our efficiency, putting together what is done separately by different entities with naturally much more costs.”
In addition, he outlined plans for consolidating payroll processing into a single global team across three centers: UN Headquarters, the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, and the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
Furthermore, Guterres advocated for a systematic review by entities in New York and Geneva to identify functions that could be performed more effectively at lower-cost duty stations.
He stated, “This is part of a broader strategy to reduce our commercial footprint and achieve a long-term cost reduction.”
Since 2017, the UN Secretariat has successfully saved $126 million by terminating commercial leases in New York. Further consolidations, including the termination of leases in two buildings by late 2027, are expected to yield an additional annual savings of $24.5 million from 2028.
The report also included Guterres' proposal to decrease the United Nations’ 2026 regular budget to $3.238 billion, representing a 15.1% reduction compared to the 2025 appropriation, alongside a proposed staffing cut to 11,594 posts, marking an 18.8% decrease from the previous year.
Point of View
This proposal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is a crucial step towards modernizing the UN's administrative functions. By consolidating services and reducing costs, the UN can allocate resources more effectively, which is essential for its global mission. This initiative reflects a necessary adaptation to evolving economic conditions, ensuring the UN remains relevant and efficient in its operations.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the proposed common administrative platform?
The main goal is to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across the UN system by providing unified administrative services to various UN Secretariat entities.
Which locations will initially implement this platform?
The implementation will begin with the UN entities located in New York and Bangkok.
What potential savings are expected from this initiative?
The initiative could save millions, with an expected additional annual saving of $24.5 million from 2028.
How will payroll processing be managed under this proposal?
Payroll processing will be consolidated into a single global team operating from UN Headquarters, the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, and the UN Office at Nairobi.
What reductions are proposed for the UN’s 2026 budget?
Guterres proposes to bring the 2026 regular budget down to $3.238 billion, a 15.1% reduction compared to the 2025 appropriation.
