The United Nations is facing a critical funding shortfall that could force it to scale back peacekeeping operations worldwide, including cutting patrols, closing field offices, and repatriating thousands of peacekeepers, officials have warned.
The crisis stems from delayed and partial payments of assessed contributions — the mandatory dues UN Member States pay to support peacekeeping missions.
The current funding level is well below the approved 2025–26 budget, prompting what UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix called “a more daunting challenge than ever.”
Lacroix said the organization has no choice but to act. “Our peacekeepers, your peacekeepers, protect people — they make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of civilians,” he said.
In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has ordered all missions to identify spending cuts equal to 15% of their annual budgets. Due to the urgency, this will result in an estimated 25% reduction in both uniformed and civilian personnel.
The Department of Peace Operations warned that the cuts will affect all aspects of peacekeeping — from patrols and protection to logistics, air operations, and civilian support.
Missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights are among those expected to be impacted.
Lacroix urged Member States to fulfill their financial obligations “in full and on time” and called for unified efforts to counter misinformation about peacekeeping. “We need your understanding and support, but we also need to work together to redress this situation,” he said.
Guterres echoed the appeal in remarks to troop- and police-contributing countries last week, stressing that without predictable and timely funding, peacekeeping missions cannot meet their Security Council mandates.