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Summary
The Trump administration has unleashed sweeping budget cuts that threaten to cripple key United Nations operations, including agencies long supported by the U.S. like UNICEF and the UN Development Programme. The recently passed $9 billion Rescission Act of 2025 rolls back over $1 billion in U.S. contributions, affecting peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and children’s nutrition programs.
Click here for the article
Summary
The Trump administration has unleashed sweeping budget cuts that threaten to cripple key United Nations operations, including agencies long supported by the U.S. like UNICEF and the UN Development Programme. The recently passed $9 billion Rescission Act of 2025 rolls back over $1 billion in U.S. contributions, affecting peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and children’s nutrition programs.
Further cuts are planned in the FY2026 House budget, including a 54% reduction in peacekeeping funds and the near-elimination of voluntary contributions to international organizations.
Even agencies traditionally backed by bipartisan support, such as UNICEF, are targeted for major cuts, with $142 million in flexible funding rescinded.
While some U.S. diplomats continue to praise UN efforts on the ground, especially in conflict zones like the DRC, critics argue that the funding cuts undermine both humanitarian missions and U.S. credibility. The cuts come before the completion of a promised 180-day review of U.S. contributions to the UN system, raising concerns that Washington is abandoning longstanding commitments with little warning.
Quotes
“We would remind all Member States that assessed contributions are treaty commitments, and building up arrears in those contributions greatly hinders our ability to carry out the tasks mandated by our Member States for the people around the world who rely on our services.” — Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres
“That money is used to allow agencies to respond quickly to emergencies... That money is now gone.” — Peter Yeo, President, Better World Campaign
“I don’t think this will have an immediate impact... But the problem is that if the budget is reduced by 20 percent for next year and the U.S. still doesn’t pay, UN80 may have shot itself in the foot.” — Ian Richards, head of the UN staff union in Geneva
“Now more than ever, to support implementation of the peace agreement, MONUSCO must be empowered and enabled to execute the tasks that we, the Security Council, have given it.” — Dorothy Shea, U.S. chargé d’affaires at the UN
“I deeply regret [Trump’s decision]. It contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism.” — Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO
Quotes
“We would remind all Member States that assessed contributions are treaty commitments, and building up arrears in those contributions greatly hinders our ability to carry out the tasks mandated by our Member States for the people around the world who rely on our services.” — Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres
“That money is used to allow agencies to respond quickly to emergencies... That money is now gone.” — Peter Yeo, President, Better World Campaign
“I don’t think this will have an immediate impact... But the problem is that if the budget is reduced by 20 percent for next year and the U.S. still doesn’t pay, UN80 may have shot itself in the foot.” — Ian Richards, head of the UN staff union in Geneva
“Now more than ever, to support implementation of the peace agreement, MONUSCO must be empowered and enabled to execute the tasks that we, the Security Council, have given it.” — Dorothy Shea, U.S. chargé d’affaires at the UN
“I deeply regret [Trump’s decision]. It contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism.” — Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, UNESCO
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