Peace, sustainability, human rights: UN Secretary-General proposes $3.6 billion budget for 2025

UN Secretary-General Guterres on October 16 presented a $3.6 billion budget proposal for programmes in 2025, highlighting the Organisation’s deepening focus on peace, sustainable development and human rights initiatives.

Outlining his proposal at the general assembly’s Fifty Committee, the chief noted that the proposal for UN’s regular budget comes against a backdrop of urgency and multiple challenges. He underscored the major shocks the global community is facing currently.

Understanding UN regular budget (RB) proposal

The Fifth Committee – the forum for administrative and budgetary matters – is going to discuss the proposal. The Committee is then expected to present its report and recommendations to the general assembly plenary, for approval of the UN budget by December.

Organisation has a separate budget for peacekeeping operations. It abides by a fiscal cycle from July 1 to June 30. The regular budget (RB), on the other hand, encompasses UN programmes spanning different domains such as political affairs and human rights.

RB pays attention to the calendar year. The latest budget reflects the priorities set out in recent landmark agreements such as the Pact for the Future, and its annexes like the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

Guterres urges Member States to fulfill their financial obligations

Sustainable development remains a core priority. In the budget proposal, it notes an increase of about $4.5 million – marking the sixth consecutive annual increase. There is an increase of $1 million for the development account for targeted, country-level support.

UN Secretary-General Guterres concluded by calling on Member States to fulfil their financial obligations on time. He explained that the Organisation started 2024 at just $67 million in cash, don from $700 million in the previous year.