Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 17, 2025 Peace and security
A severe funding shortage threatens to paralyze UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. The organization warns that due to delays in member states' contributions, it will be forced to reduce patrols, close field offices, and repatriate thousands of blue helmets.
As Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix noted, the current crisis is "more serious than ever before" and is caused by the partial non-payment of assessed contributions—mandatory payments made by Member States to fund UN work in the world's most unstable regions. These revenues remain significantly below the approved budget for 2025–2026.
This week, speaking to military and diplomats at a peacekeeping conference in New Delhi, Lacroix again warned of the consequences of such a situation and said that the work of peacekeepers the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians depend on.
Large-scale cuts
The UN Secretary-General has instructed all missions to develop cost reductions of 15 percent from their annual budgets. This will result in an approximately 25 percent reduction in the number of military and civilian personnel. These measures will affect all key areas of peacekeeping missions – from patrolling and civilian protection to logistics, aviation, and administrative support.
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations warns that fewer peacekeepers on the ground means fewer patrols to monitor ceasefires, fewer safe areas for civilians and less support for humanitarian operations in places such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
A call for solidarity
Jean-Pierre Lacroix called on all Member States to pay their contributions "in full and on time" and to stand united against "campaigns of misinformation and disinformation about peacekeeping operations."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres In his address to countries contributing military and police personnel to peacekeeping missions, he also called for stable funding, emphasizing that without it, UN peacekeeping operations will not be able to fulfill the mandates assigned by the Security Council.
Preventing Confrontation
In July, the General Assembly approved a peacekeeping budget for 2025–2026 of $5.38 billion—slightly down from $5.6 billion the previous year. This budget covers the costs of missions and global support centers in Entebbe, Uganda, and Brindisi, Italy.
However, the implementation of the plans depends on whether countries provide these funds.
Peacekeeping accounts for less than half a percent of global military spending, estimated at $2.7 trillion in 2024, but remains one of the UN's most significant tools for maintaining international peace and security.
"Some people ask why peacekeeping missions are still needed," Colin Stewart, former head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, told UN News Service shortly before his retirement. "The answer is simple: peace is maintained precisely because the missions do their job. Without them, mistrust between parties can easily escalate into confrontation."
The decisive moment
Since 1948, more than two million peacekeepers from around the world have served in the most dangerous conditions, helping implement ceasefire agreements and creating space for political dialogue and peace processes. More than 4,400 peacekeepers have died in the line of duty.
In the year of its 80th anniversary, the UN stands at a "turning point" and must adapt their peacekeeping operations to new global realities.
"The challenges we face are real," he noted. "But so are our chances to overcome them—if we remain united in our goals, pragmatic in our actions, and steadfast in our commitment to peace."
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