The United Nations Secretariat plans to eliminate approximately 6,900 positions within the organization as part of an effort to reduce its overall budget by 20%, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.

This move comes amid growing financial pressure on the UN, as a result of delayed contributions from member states and a decline in voluntary funding for various programs and agencies. The organization’s current budget stands at $3.7 billion.

According to the memo, the job cuts will affect staff across multiple departments and UN offices. The Secretariat is working on a mechanism to reassign certain responsibilities and minimize the social impact of the decision, particularly for staff with long-term contracts.

No official statement has yet been issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, but informed sources indicate that the decision is under final review and may be announced as part of a broader administrative reform plan in the coming months.