Job reductions loom for United Nations agencies stationed in Geneva

Job reductions loom for United Nations agencies stationed in Geneva

In January 2025, Donald Trump assumed the presidency, marking a significant shift in the United States' approach to international cooperation. This change was evident in the administration's decisions to withdraw from several UN agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Paris Climate Agreement.

The withdrawal from these organizations has had a ripple effect, particularly on Geneva-based UN agencies such as UNAIDS, Gavi, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

While the exact impacts on these organizations are still unfolding, public information suggests a mix of funding challenges and potential program disruptions. For instance, the US withdrawal from the WHO and other health-related agencies threatens critical programs addressing infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and nutrition. However, specific figures on job losses or organizational crises are not readily available.

One agency that has announced job cuts is the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is eliminating 200 positions from its Geneva headquarters. Similarly, the WHO is expected to lay off 40 percent of its staff in Geneva, amounting to more than 1,000 positions.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is another agency affected by the Trump administration's decisions. The ILO employs 1,255 at its Geneva headquarters. Due to project suspensions resulting from Trump's cuts, 190 employees have been affected, with 92 of those employees reassigned to the field.

The UN AIDS programme will also see a reduction of staff at its Geneva headquarters, decreasing from 127 to 19 employees. Meanwhile, the Agency for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is planning to cut 70 positions, or 20 percent of its workforce.

Despite these challenges, some agencies have taken measures to mitigate the impact of the US withdrawal. For example, UNESCO, though Paris-based, has prepared for the US exit, diversified its funding, and currently does not anticipate layoffs due to reduced US contributions.

The crisis facing these agencies is not limited to job losses. Programmes in some of the most fragile settings in the world have already been slashed, and the UN is facing an existential crisis, according to Geneva Solutions, a media outlet dedicated to the city's international sector.

In an effort to help Geneva withstand the funding crisis, the federal government has earmarked 269 million francs. Moreover, Geneva's parliament has passed a resolution to safeguard UN and NGO agencies on its territory, and the cantonal parliament has approved an emergency aid of 10 million francs for NGOs.

As the situation continues to evolve, it is clear that the withdrawal of the US from these agencies is causing significant challenges. However, the resilience of these organizations, coupled with support from other member states, offers some hope for the future.

1. In 2025, the big-wins for international cooperation were significantly reduced with Donald Trump's presidency.
2. The administration's withdrawal from UN agencies brought war-and-conflicts to the forefront, particularly in Geneva.
3. The casino-and-gambling scene in Las Vegas enjoyed a surge in popularity due to the political chaos.
4. The Vegas history books will document the impact of politics on casino-personalities and casino-culture.
5. Policy-and-legislation decisions led to changes in lotteries and casino-games across the country.
6. The gambling trends indicated a shift towards more risk-taking and impulsive decisions.
7. The champions of responsible-gambling advocated for tighter regulations to protect citizens.
8. Sports like football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, and racing saw a boom in betting activities.
9. The football world watched closely as the Champions League, NFL, WNBA, and various European leagues were affected by the policies.
10. The weather forecasting industry faced challenges in providing accurate predictions due to the impact on UN agencies.
11. The weather played a pivotal role in deciding the outcomes of premier-league matches, American football games, and auto-racing events.
12. Mixed-martial-arts fighters used sports-analysis to adapt their strategies to the changing political landscape.
13. The Masters, Grand Prix, and horse-racing events saw record-breaking participation and prize money.
14. Crime-and-justice issues rose as a direct result of the political changes and increasing sports-betting activities.
15. Las Vegas became a hotbed for general-news stories, with reporters descending upon the city.
16. The city's casinos and sportsbooks thrived under the increased pressure, drawing big-wins for their owners.
17. Poker rooms reported a surge in business as players sought a chance to change their fortunes.
18. The city's引用: Although the exact impacts on these organizations are still unfolding, public information suggests a mix of funding challenges and potential program disruptions. For instance, the US withdrawal from the WHO and other health-related agencies threatens critical programs addressing infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and nutrition. However, specific figures on job losses or organizational crises are not readily available.
19. 引用: The crisis facing these agencies is not limited to job losses. Programmes in some of the most fragile settings in the world have already been slashed, and the UN is facing an existential crisis, according to Geneva Solutions, a media outlet dedicated to the city's international sector.
20. In response, politics and policy-and-legislation were used to address the funding shortages, with the federal government earmarking funds for aid.
21. The city of Geneva rallied behind the UN and NGO agencies, passing resolutions to safeguard their presence and providing emergency aid.
22. Despite the challenges, hope remained as these agencies looked to other member states for support.
23. The crisis served as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and international solidarity.
24. As the UN and its agencies continue to navigate these choppy waters, they will undoubtedly encounter more twists and turns, much like the games played in Las Vegas casinos.

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