Antonio Guterres, Secretary‑General of the United Nations, told the Fifth Committee that the revised estimates report (document A/80/400) reduces the proposed 2026 regular budget resource requirement to $3.268 billion — a $577 million, or 15.1%, decrease compared with the 2025 appropriation. He presented the package as part of the UNIT initiative to modernize Secretariat operations and align resources with organizational priorities.

Guterres said the revised staffing table for 2026 would be 11,594 posts, a reduction of 2,681 posts, or 18.8%, from the approved 2025 level. To implement staffing changes responsibly, he requested a one‑time appropriation of $5.4 million to cover separation and relocation costs and sought commitment authority for eligible one‑time costs triggered by approved post abolishments and relocations.

"The revised estimates report before you today does so, highlighting both the urgency and the ambition of the UNIT initiative," Guterres said, describing the measures as targeted efficiencies rather than across‑the‑board cuts. He told delegates that the proposals would consolidate administrative functions — including payroll processing into three global centres (UN Headquarters, the regional service centre in Entebbe, and the UN office in Nairobi) — and create a common administrative platform beginning with New York and Bangkok to reduce duplication and cost.

Guterres said the Secretariat has already realized $126 million in savings since 2017 by terminating New York commercial leases and projects an additional $24.5 million in annual savings from terminating two more leases by late 2027. He emphasized that reductions were calibrated to protect the UN’s three pillars (peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights) and singled out humanitarian functions for protection. "I made a decision to exempt UNRWA from any reductions that would have dramatic consequences on the backbone of the entire humanitarian response in Gaza," he said, adding that development and Africa‑focused advocacy were also protected from cuts.

On special political missions, Guterres presented revised proposed funding of $543.6 million — a $96.3 million (15%) reduction compared with the initial 2026 proposal — and a net decrease of 1,215 posts from the 4,086 approved for 2025, primarily attributable to mission closures and streamlining.

Guterres said voluntary separation programmes, lateral placement mechanisms and other mitigation strategies are in place to limit involuntary separations and preserve geographic distribution. "We are doing everything to guarantee that there will be no deterioration in relation to the necessary equilibrium in geographic distribution," he said.

The Secretary‑General closed by stressing that work streams 2 and 3 of the UNIT initiative are underway and that changes to structures and program realignments will be assessed for future budget proposals.

The committee chair thanked the Secretary‑General for his statement and moved to the next agenda item.