UN80 – No 3 (part 1): UN Secretary-General introduces proposed 2026 programme budget in context of UN80 Initiative to General Assembly 5th Committee (17 October 2025)

The UN Secretary-General presented the proposed 2026 programme budget in the context of the UN80 Initiative, highlighting a strong sense of urgency and the ambition to make the Secretariat more effective, agile, resilient and cost-efficient.  

Components of proposed programme

The proposed programme budget comprises three parts:

Part I, outlining the plan, which is considered only once every three years;

Part II covering the programme plan for 2026 and programme performance information for 2024;

Part III addressing resource requirements for the programmes and subprogrammes.

They reflect priorities set by the General Assembly and lay the foundation for bold, efficient proposals for 2026 and beyond. 

Currently there are deepening geopolitical divides, rising inequalities, climate disruption, and rapid technological change.  The General Assembly has equipped the UN with new mandates and normative instruments to meet these challenges and unlock opportunities, as reflected in Part I, which sets out the long-term priorities and objectives of the Organization. 

Pact for the Future

Key actions are included from the Pact for the Future, such as protecting civilians in armed conflicts; pursuing a future free from terrorism; and advancing nuclear disarmament. In addition important new instruments are included such as the UN Convention against Cybercrime and Resolution 79/190 on combating illicit financial flows and strengthening good practices on asset recovery.

The plan outline also prominently highlights the Effective Functioning of the Organization – renewing his commitment to improve the organization’s ability to deliver on mandates.

The 2026 programme of work shows the Secretariat’s increased results-orientation with over 70 percent of planned quantitative targets aiming for a 10 percent or greater increase in performance. Meanwhile, the annual cycle has enabled the integration of critical new mandates more quickly into its planning, programmatic activities, deliverables and results. The Pact for the Future is already reflected throughout the proposed programme plans for 2026; and entities across the development system including DESA, UNCTAD and the Regional Commissions are supporting efforts to: 

• Reform the international financial architecture; 
• Move beyond GDP; promote data governance; and 
• Ensure that the digital economy benefits all. 

Entities across the Secretariat are building capacity in innovation, data analytics, digital transformation, strategic foresight and behavioural science, all essential for a more agile and responsive United Nations. 

Other activities include:

• Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) strengthening preventive diplomacy, mediation and peacebuilding support, while deepening partnerships with regional and national actors
• DPPA with Department of Peace Operations (DPO), embedding Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas across their work – ensuring that peace efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of all
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expanding its regional presence to deliver mandates more effectively and efficiently

The Secretary-General will continue to make the Organization more modern, effective, and cost-efficient. 

Proposed 2026 programme budget

The proposed programme budget for 2026 of US$3.715 billion is slightly below the 2025 approved budget, while excluding post re-costing and major construction projects in Nairobi and under the Strategic Heritage Plan. It includes funding for 37 Special Political Missions, with a net decrease due to the liquidation of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and planned drawdown of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia. It provides for 14,275 posts, while reflecting the Secretariat’s commitment a balanced advancement of the three pillars of its work – peace and security, development, and human rights – in a balanced manner.

As for 2025, the Resident Coordinator System will continue to be supported with a US$53 million commitment authority for 2026. The US$50 million grant for the Peacebuilding Fund is also maintained, while the proposed increase of US$2 million for the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation will mainly fund the establishment of a harmonized fellowship programme across the five regional commissions,( a 60 percent increase since 2019). OHCHR’s regional presence, in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Dakar, Panama City, Pretoria and Vienna, will be strengthened, as called for in the Pact for the Future.

While making the Organization more efficient and effective, reform ultimately involves people and budget proposal continue to advance the Secretary-General’s vision for UN 2.0, namely building a forward-thinking workforce culture and empowerment by cutting-edge skills. In accordance with the Global Digital Compact, harnessing digital technology is central to this transformation. Gender equality and geographical representation, moreover, remain top priorities. 

Geographically representation has increased from 103 countries to 128, with gender parity at senior levels, and moving towards full parity across the Organization before 2028, while continuing to work towards parity at every level and entity.  Such efforts depend on the organization’s ability to recruit external candidates and fill vacancies, in the context of a liquidity crisis.