Diplomacy Today | Figure for the Issue

Diplomacy Today

BOX 3 | Figures on International Geneva and Impact of US Cuts on United Nations Funding

43 international organisations in the Lake Geneva area (38 in Geneva, 46 in total in Switzerland)
183 States represented
About 750 non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
More than 4,000 visits per year of heads of state and government, ministers and other dignitaries
In 2024, 36,460 people were employed in IOs, NGOs and permanent missions:
- 28,962 people employed in IOs
- 4,062 people employed in permanent missions
- 3,436 people employed in NGOs
In 2024, the United States funded 22% of the UN regular budget, more than China (15.25%) and Japan (8.03%). But in 2025, it significantly reduced its financial contributions:
- Reduction of more than 80% for the UN regular budget, affecting more than 40 international organisations, including UNESCO and the World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Suspension of USD 377 million for UNFPA, the UN agency for reproductive health, impacting 48 programmes in crisis areas such as Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine
- Cuts of USD 160 million for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), jeopardising global efforts to monitor avian influenza
- Estimated reduction of 30% for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), affecting more than 6,000 employees worldwide.
To prevent staff layoffs due to the US funding freeze, the Canton of Geneva has allocated CHF 10 million and the City of Geneva CHF 2 million to support local NGOs.

Sources: République et canton de Genève, “Statistiques cantonales”. République et canton de Genève, Genève internationale, “Facts and Figures”. Confédération suisse, “Facts and Figures about International Geneva”. Better World Campaign, “Proposed FY25 Spending Bill for Foreign Operations Would Gut U.S. Global Standing”, 6 April 2025. United Nations Office at Geneva, “US Funding Cuts Confirmed, Ending Lifesaving Support for Women and Girls”, 27 February 2025. Susannah Savage and Michael Peel, “American Farmers Raise Alarm As US Cuts Funds for UN Bird Flu Fight”, Financial Times, 9 May 2025. International Organization for Migration, “Update on IOM Operations amid Budget Cuts ”, 18 March 2025. US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, United Nations Issues: US Funding to the UN System, by Luisa Blanchfield, IF10354, 9 April 2024. Frédéric Julliard, “Genève souffle le chaud et le froid sur les ONG”, Le Temps, 17 February 2025. Fanny Scuderi, “La ville de Genève alloue 2 millions de francs d’aide aux ONG”, 13 March 2025.

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BOX 3 | Figures on International Geneva and Impact of US Cuts on United Nations Funding

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