General Assembly approves UN budget of 3.72 billion dollars for 2025 – World Issues

The approved general budget (RB) of $3.72 billion for 2025 represents an increase of nearly $1 million over the Secretary-General’s October proposal to the Council’s Fifth Committee, which oversees management and budget matters.

The general budget supports UN programs in all key areas, including political affairs, international justice and law, regional cooperation for development, human rights and humanitarian affairs, and public information.

In addition, the Organization maintains a separate budget for peacekeeping operations, with a financial cycle from 1 July to 30 June, while the RB cycle corresponds to the calendar year.

Application of LLDCs

In a separate act, the General Assembly adopted the Landlocked Developing Countries’ Program of Action for the Decade 2024-2034, which aims to address the unique challenges faced by nations without direct access to open seas.

Land-locked developing countries (LLDCs) face significant trade and development constraints, relying on transit countries, leading to high trade costs, delays and reduced competitiveness in global markets.

The Action Plan identifies five priorities: fostering sustainable economic growth through innovation and structural change, improving regional trade integration, improving transport connectivity, building climate resilience, and ensuring effective implementation strategies.

The new framework builds on the Vienna Plan of Action (2014-2024) and the Almaty Plan of Action (2003), which laid the groundwork for addressing the persistent constraints plaguing LLDCs.