UN Relocates Key Programs to Nairobi in Major Cost-Cutting Move
The United Nations has announced a major operational shift that will see its Nairobi offices take on more global programs as part of a cost-cutting and efficiency-improving strategy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed on Wednesday, March 12, that relocating programs from high-cost cities such as Vienna, Geneva, and New York to Nairobi was a key part of the organization’s restructuring efforts.
Speaking on the decision, Guterres emphasized that Nairobi has already undergone significant investment to make it a viable hub for the UN’s operations. Two major divisions—the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—are set to transfer key functions to the Kenyan capital.
“We have been investing in Nairobi, creating the conditions for Nairobi to receive services that are now in more expensive locations,” Guterres stated. “And UNICEF will be transferring soon some of the functions to Nairobi, and UNFPA will be essentially moving to Nairobi.”
This move is part of a broader UN initiative known as UN80, which marks the organization’s 80th anniversary and aims to tackle financial constraints caused by shrinking resources. The UN80 initiative also involves job cuts due to redundancy, though the Secretary-General did not specify the exact cost savings expected from these changes.
A 14-member internal task force will oversee the implementation of the restructuring efforts. Guterres has already begun executing the changes within his authority and has informed all 193 UN member states of decisions that require their input. However, he dismissed comparisons between the UN80 initiative and the US government’s controversial DOGE program led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, which has resulted in mass layoffs of federal workers.
“We are talking about completely different processes, methodologies, and objectives. This is a continuation and an intensification of work that we have always been doing,” he clarified.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining operational effectiveness, Guterres reaffirmed that UN budgetary decisions are critical for millions of people worldwide. “Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet—they are a matter of life and death for millions around the world.”
As the UN shifts more responsibilities to Nairobi, the city’s role in global governance is expected to expand significantly, solidifying its status as a key international hub.
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UN Relocates Key Programs to Nairobi in Major Cost-Cutting Move