Secretary-General Antonio Guterres introduced the “UN80 Initiative” on Wednesday to commemorate the U.N.’s upcoming 80th anniversary. The initiative is officially designed to boost efficiency, reassess existing mandates, and reorganize the U.N. system. However, some critics suggest it’s a preemptive move in anticipation of potential funding reductions from the U.S.

Guterres emphasized the significance of the U.N.’s budget, stating, “Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet — they are a matter of life and death for millions around the world,” during Wednesday’s press briefing.

He refuted claims that the UN80 Initiative was a reaction to possible U.S. funding cuts or a “version of DOGE.”

Hugh Dugan, head of DOGE-UN, dismissed the UN80 Initiative as merely a superficial gesture.

Dugan stated that Guterres has had ample time to implement the changes he’s now proposing, and with only 18 to 19 months left in his term, it’s unlikely his team will achieve significant progress comparable to Elon Musk’s endeavors, according to Digital.

When Digital inquired during the midday briefing whether the UN80 Initiative was a response to potential U.S. cuts and if Guterres was concerned about Elon Musk, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric referred to Guterres’ earlier statements.

Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and President of Human Rights Voices, criticized the U.N. as a “bloated, corrupt and profoundly anti-American and anti-Jewish institution.”

Bayefsky told Digital, “Every time a U.S. government begins to try to hold it to account or use the power of the purse to change this nonsensical equation, the U.N. trots out a ‘reform’ fake out and America rolls over. and DOGE can change this perverse state of affairs.”

She added, “Obviously, Guterres is running scared and deeply concerned that his total nonsense about being engaged in ‘an ambitious reform agenda’ will be called out.”

Internal U.N. documents regarding a “liquidity crisis,” recently obtained by Digital, indicated the organization was preparing for potential financial constraints.

Despite a U.N. memo suggesting that reducing funding to 80% could negatively impact various entities, insiders informed Dugan that they foresee no “real cuts.”

Guterres is scheduled to address the U.N.’s financial situation next month during a virtual town hall. While the invitation lacked specific topics, Dujarric confirmed that finances would be a subject of discussion.

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