UN Activities In Geneva Hampered By Financial Constraints

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Facing an unprecedented budget crisis, the United Nations in Geneva has been forced to implement drastic cost-saving measures, affecting essential services and raising concerns about its ability to carry out its mission effectively.

This content was published on June 3, 2024 - 14:54 6 minutes

Born in Yokohama, Japan. I live in Switzerland since 1999. I hold a master's degree in international relations from Geneva. I am the Head of the Japanese section of swissinfo since 2016. Previously, I worked for 15 years for Asahi Shimbun at the UN in Geneva, where I closely followed multilateral and Swiss affairs.

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“We are not operating as usual, and we recognise that both service delivery and staff welfare are experiencing immediate challenges,” says Alessandra Vellucci, director of the UN information service in Geneva.

The cutbacks mean that Geneva, a centre of international diplomacy and humanitarianism, is facing financial constraints that threaten to disrupt its work. The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), a cornerstone of global negotiations for stability, is grappling with a 42% cut in non-salary expenses this year. This has led to a cascade of changes, from the dimming of lights at the Palais des Nations to the possible cancellation of all side events and NGO meetings.

Offices and meeting rooms at the Palais now close earlier, at 7pm. The rooms are chilly, as heating is dialled down to 20.5°C in winter, the thermostat is set to a modest 26°C in the summer, and outdoor lighting is minimised. Procurement of goods and services has been put on hold, except for the most essential items, and the purchase of uniforms and flags has stopped. Building operations have been downsized, and training programmes have been cut to the bare minimum.

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