Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chairman of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development, and a former Nigerian minister and top UN diplomat, has raised alarm over a severe financial and liquidity crisis threatening the operations of the United Nations (UN).

He warned that the crisis could trigger deep budget cuts and massive staff layoffs if urgent action is not taken.

Gambari issued the warning on Wednesday while delivering the lead-off remarks at the UNGA@80 Pact Innovation Forum High-Level Breakfast Dialogue held at the Baha’i International Community Office in New York.

The event brought together senior UN officials, ambassadors, and government representatives to discuss the implementation of the Pact for the Future, a landmark agreement adopted by member states earlier this year.
Describing the period as a “consequential moment” for the UN, Gambari revealed that the world body is now facing a cash deficit that could force the Secretariat to shed at least 20 percent of its workforce.

He attributed the escalation of the crisis to “sudden and severe U.S. cutbacks” to both assessed and voluntary contributions across the UN system.
The former UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs warned that major humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) could face budget cuts of up to 30–40 percent.

“This is taking place at a time when the UN is already facing severe financial crisis, with year-end cash deficits, deep cuts in funding for peacekeeping operations, and overall resources across the UN system projected to shrink by up to 30 percent compared to 2023,” Gambari said.

He, however, pointed to a potential way forward through the UN80 Initiative, announced by Secretary-General António Guterres in March 2025.
Gambari expressed optimism that, if properly implemented, the initiative could transform the UN from “doing less with less” to a system capable of “doing more with less.”

He urged member states to work closely with the UN Secretariat to ensure the initiative advances the ambitious goals of the Pact for the Future, which outlines 56 actions and includes annexes on the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

The dialogue also featured remarks from other dignitaries, including the 73rd President of the UN General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa, and Ambassador Sani Bala, Executive Director of the Savannah Centre.