• The UN will cut about 25% of its peacekeeping personnel due to financial strains.
• This reduction will affect 13,000 to 14,000 troops and police globally.
• The U.S. is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping and has significantly reduced its funding.
• Over 60 UN agencies are facing possible job cuts as part of broader budget reductions.
• China, the second-largest contributor, has pledged to meet its financial obligations to the UN.

The United Nations is set to cut its global peacekeeping force by approximately 25%, impacting around 13,000 to 14,000 personnel across various missions. This decision comes amid a severe funding shortfall primarily attributed to significant reductions in U.S. contributions under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, according to TRT Global, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The planned reduction will affect peacekeeping operations in critical areas including Congo, South Sudan, and Lebanon, where fewer peacekeepers may compromise the ability to monitor ceasefires and protect civilians, officials note. The U.S., the largest contributor to the UN’s peacekeeping budget, has announced that it will cut its funding from $1 billion last year to $680 million for current operations, according to South China Morning Post and Africa News.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pointed out that this cash crisis coincides with the UN's 80th anniversary, emphasizing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations despite their low budget relative to global military expenditures. The current funding shortfall means that the UN expects a 16 to 17 percent deficit in its peacekeeping budget, impacting missions reliant on timely financial support, as highlighted by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Amid these cuts, the second-largest contributor, China, has committed to fulfilling its funding obligations for UN peacekeeping operations. However, the impending reduction of personnel and operational capability raises concerns about the future of effective international peacekeeping, which is already facing the most significant overhaul in its history. Major shifts in funding and operational strategies will inevitably reshape how the UN engages in global hotspots moving forward, according to Africa News and Reuters.