Nairobi, Istanbul top choices, India yet to make a pitch

The United Nations is implementing its 'UN80 Initiative' to reduce operational costs by relocating functions from high-cost hubs like New York and Geneva.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Highly placed sources aware of the development have told the Sunday Guardian that Nairobi, Istanbul, and Bangkok have emerged as leading contenders to host these operations.

A United Nations memorandum, accessed by the Sunday Guardian dated April 25 from the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, has directed the heads of Secretariat entities in New York and Geneva—the UN's most expensive duty stations—to conduct functional reviews by May 16 to prepare a groundwork for this reform.

Signed by the Chef de Cabinet, the memo instructs these entities to identify functions that can be relocated to lower-cost locations, streamlined, or eliminated to prepare revised budget estimates for 2026, aligning with the UN80 Initiative's goal of creating a more cost-effective, efficient, and responsive organization.

However, India, despite its potential to outshine these three potential replacement cities with lower costs, advanced infrastructure, and strategic advantages, bolstered by the National Capital Region (NCR) soon having two international airports, is yet to propose Delhi as a viable alternative.

Allowing this opportunity to pass without even trying comes even as strong voices within the UN believe Delhi would be a strong candidate—a belief India should act on swiftly by pitching Delhi.