Source: UN News: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 00:02 AM
Due to lack of adequate funding for UN peacekeeping operations, these missions are being affected around the world. In view of this, the UN has warned of reducing patrols, closing field offices and thousands of peacekeepers being forced to return to their countries. The situation for peacekeeping is becoming increasingly challenging due to non-payment of dues by UN member states. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, described the crisis as more difficult than ever, stemming from member states’ non-payment of agreed financial contributions. This week, at a meeting of UN peacekeeping contributors in New Delhi, he spoke to defense officials and Addressing diplomats, he warned that we have no other option. “Our peacekeepers, your peacekeepers, protect people. They make the difference between life and death for millions of civilians.” Huge cutsUN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has asked all peacekeeping missions to cut their annual budgets by up to 15 percent, which could lead to a reduction of up to 25 percent in uniformed and civilian peacekeepers in a limited time. This will affect every area of peacekeeping work. UN peacekeeping patrols, protection responsibilities, operations, aerial surveillance and support for civilians, among other tasks. © MINUSMA/Harandane Dicko The UN Office for Peacekeeping has warned that a reduction in the number of peacekeepers on the ground will make it more difficult to monitor, reduce the number of safe areas for civilians and reduce support for humanitarian assistance in countries including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lebanon. In view of this, Under-Secretary-General Lacroix urged Member States to make collective efforts to ensure that every country makes timely, full payments. He stressed that timely, full payments by all Member States is critical to UN peacekeeping, and the campaign to spread misinformation about peacekeeping operations must also be addressed. Budget challenge on critical responsibility The UN General Assembly in July this year approved a budget of $5.38 billion for 2025-26. The peacekeeping budget was approved, which is less than the previous year’s $ 5.6 billion. However, to implement the budget, it is necessary to achieve financial contribution in real terms. Less than 0.5 percent of the total military expenditure worldwide ($ 2,400 billion) is spent on peacekeeping missions, yet it is one of the important instruments of the UN from the point of view of international peace and security. Since then, more than 2 million peacekeepers have contributed significantly to the implementation of ceasefires and ensuring political dialogue and peace processes in extremely challenging circumstances around the world. More than 4,400 peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in these efforts to achieve lasting peace. MONUSCO
