Dear colleagues,
It was a pleasure to connect with so many of you during our Town Hall meeting last week. As we discussed, 2024 was a terrible year for many of the world's children. We are braced for the likelihood that 2025 may be just as challenging. Urgent needs continue to outpace resources and resources are under real threat.
We knew coming into this year that we would be working in a tight funding environment. As a result, over the last months we have been reviewing and preparing for possible cuts from some of our major donors. As we communicated to offices last week, given the current environment, including the 90-day pause on US Government funding to some of our work, we decided to put in place immediate measures to cut costs, including limiting international travel and freezing the establishment of new positions. We have also now taken the difficult decision to postpone the Global Leadership Meeting.
Our colleagues across the organization continue to undertake a broader review of our funding landscape. One thing is clear – this will have an impact on all aspects of our organization. We will do everything we can to protect our programs, and all of you, who make our critical work possible. We will continue to speak up for the rights and well-being of children everywhere, showcase the value of our programs and expertise, and make every effort to mobilize resources while looking at further efficiencies in everything we do. We owe it to the children we serve to continue to be at our best and as cost-efficient as possible to maximize our impact.
As you have heard me say often, UNICEF's strength is our staff. We heard that again this week during our Executive Board. Your unwavering commitment is saving and improving lives, every day. We will get through these difficult times and do our best to carry on our mission on behalf of all children.
Warmest wishes,
Cathy
It was a pleasure to connect with so many of you during our Town Hall meeting last week. As we discussed, 2024 was a terrible year for many of the world's children. We are braced for the likelihood that 2025 may be just as challenging. Urgent needs continue to outpace resources and resources are under real threat.
We knew coming into this year that we would be working in a tight funding environment. As a result, over the last months we have been reviewing and preparing for possible cuts from some of our major donors. As we communicated to offices last week, given the current environment, including the 90-day pause on US Government funding to some of our work, we decided to put in place immediate measures to cut costs, including limiting international travel and freezing the establishment of new positions. We have also now taken the difficult decision to postpone the Global Leadership Meeting.
Our colleagues across the organization continue to undertake a broader review of our funding landscape. One thing is clear – this will have an impact on all aspects of our organization. We will do everything we can to protect our programs, and all of you, who make our critical work possible. We will continue to speak up for the rights and well-being of children everywhere, showcase the value of our programs and expertise, and make every effort to mobilize resources while looking at further efficiencies in everything we do. We owe it to the children we serve to continue to be at our best and as cost-efficient as possible to maximize our impact.
As you have heard me say often, UNICEF's strength is our staff. We heard that again this week during our Executive Board. Your unwavering commitment is saving and improving lives, every day. We will get through these difficult times and do our best to carry on our mission on behalf of all children.
Warmest wishes,
Cathy
Leadership is indeed postponing the Global Meeting. Small token act with a high positive perception - pity the initial message on the cuts included a line saying that it would continue.
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