The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a key agency helping developing nations integrate into the global economy, is bracing for significant reductions in its workforce. Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD’s secretary general, described the planned cuts as “painful,” warning they could hamper the agency’s ability to respond as demand for its trade analysis spikes.
As countries navigate sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, more governments are turning to UNCTAD for timely data and policy advice. Yet for its 2026 budget, the agency has proposed eliminating 70 positions—out of 500 posts including consultants, and roughly 400 permanent roles. “There’s no way to disguise this,” Grynspan said. “We haven’t cut that number of posts ever in one budget.”
The cuts come amid a broader financial crunch across the UN system. The U.S., which accounts for nearly a quarter of the world body’s funding, has scaled back contributions, triggering liquidity pressures. Meanwhile, the UN Secretariat plans to slash its $3.7 billion budget by 20 percent, and about 75 agencies were asked to submit cost-saving proposals by mid-June.
To shore up efficiency, Grynspan is part of a task force exploring deeper collaboration among UN development agencies. Still, she worries that reduced capacity will undermine UNCTAD’s core mission: delivering fast, data-driven insights on trade and development. “What worries me the most is the possibility to respond to countries in their needs fast enough,” she said.
With final approval of UNCTAD’s budget slated for September, developing-country leaders and business communities will be watching closely. The outcome will signal how agile the UN can remain in an era of escalating trade tensions and shrinking resources.
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UNCTAD says it faces 'painful' cuts as countries navigate tariffs
cgtn.com
