UN Begins Reducing Peacekeeping Forces Amid Funding Cuts
The United Nations is taking significant steps to reduce its peacekeeping operations, leading to the departure of thousands of soldiers from various global hotspots. This decision comes as a result of reduced funding from key contributors, particularly the United States.
A senior UN official, who chose to remain anonymous during a press briefing, revealed that 25% of the UN’s peacekeeping force will be cut in the coming months. The reduction is attributed to changes in US funding policies under the “America First” approach championed by former President Donald Trump.
Approximately 13,000 to 14,000 military and police personnel out of the over 50,000 deployed across nine missions will return to their home countries. This move affects several critical missions, including the support office in Somalia.
The UN plans to slash its peacekeeping budget by about 15% for the upcoming fiscal year. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing missions in regions such as Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Kosovo.
All 193 UN member states are legally required to contribute financially to peacekeeping efforts. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the organization’s budget represents only a small fraction of global military spending—around half a percent—and remains one of the most effective tools for building international peace and security.
The decision to reduce the peacekeeping force followed a meeting between Guterres and representatives from major donor countries, including Mike Waltz, the new US ambassador to the UN.
Waltz and other officials from the Trump administration have criticized the UN’s budget and agencies, arguing they are bloated and redundant. They pledged not to contribute further until the US State Department evaluates the effectiveness of every UN agency and program.
Upon entering his second term in January, Trump ordered a review of the UN and other multilateral institutions. This led to the US cutting ties with UNESCO, the World Health Organisation, and the top UN human rights body, while reassessing funding for others.
Over 60 offices, agencies, and operations of the New York-based organization are facing 20% job cuts as part of Guterres’ reform initiative and response to Trump’s funding reductions.
In a recent television interview on US broadcasters, Waltz stated that the White House is focused on returning the UN to its core mission of promoting peace, enforcing peace, and preventing wars. He added, “We have to cut out all of this other nonsense.”
The US previously announced it would commit $680 million (€584 million) to nine peacekeeping efforts, a significant decrease from the $1 billion (€859 million) it paid last year. This funding will be available for all active missions, especially those of particular interest to Washington, such as peacekeepers in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Contributions from the US and China make up roughly half of the peacekeeping budget. A senior UN official mentioned that China has indicated it will pay its full contribution by the end of the year. Beijing is responsible for 20% of the UN’s regular budget and approximately 24% of its peacekeeping funding.
