by Thalif Deen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNITED NATIONS (IPS)\u00a0<\/strong>– In the US, the success of a business enterprise or the value of real estate is reflected in a repetitive and alliterative phrase: \u201cLOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the UN continues its plans for system-wide restructuring\u2013 amidst a growing liquidity crisis\u2013 one of the key issues on the negotiating table is the re-location of UN agencies: a choice between high-cost and low-cost duty stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two major UN locations, New York and Geneva, are described as \u201camong the most expensive cities in the world\u201d, making it challenging for the UN to operate within its current budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides the UN headquarters, New York city is also home to several UN agencies, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women and the UN children\u2019s agency UNICEF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The city of Geneva, considered \u201ca hub for global diplomacy\u201d, is hosting more than 40 international organisations and UN agencies, including the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reacting to a possible partial UN pullout from Geneva, the Swiss Government last week announced \u201ca generous financial package of support to the United Nations presence in Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is \u201cvery much appreciative of the Swiss Federal Council for this decision\u201d. The United Nations is determined to continue working in partnership with Switzerland to advance the cause of multilateralism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur presence in Geneva remains an integral part of the UN system. The Swiss support is crucial for this continued endeavour\u201d, said Guterres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a report from Reuters, Switzerland will spend 269 million Swiss francs ($329.37 million) to support Geneva as a hub for international diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 269 million francs covers the period from 2025 to 2029, with the government requesting a credit of 130.4 million francs from parliament later this year, a 5% increase from the previous period. The government has already approved 21.5 million francs for urgent measures to help Geneva-based organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asked for his comments, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters: \u201cYou know, we see it as an act of generosity on the part of the Swiss Federal Government to support the United Nations\u2019 work in Geneva. The UN\u2019s presence in Geneva is critical. It is also historical, and we very much welcome the efforts of the Swiss Government in that regard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Somar Wijayadasa, formerly Director and Representative of UNAIDS at the United Nations in New York (1995-2000), told IPS \u201cIt is a generous move\u2013 but to dole out about $60 million extra each year is \u201cpeanuts\u201d for the Swiss Govt. considering the billions of dollars that the 40 UN Agencies in Geneva contribute annually to its coffers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the \u201cUN80\u201d initiative to audit and merge overlapping bureaucracies across all UN agencies, it can move some programs to more affordable locations around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good example, he said, is the Joint UN Program on HIV\/AIDS (UNAIDS) that was created in 1995, in the height of the AIDS pandemic (with 3.3 million people with HIV and almost a million died) has successfully curtailed the spread of the HIV\/AIDS pandemic \u2013 from a death sentence to a manageable disease with proven treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUNAIDS can be easily re-merged with WHO, and located in countries in the Global South \u2013 with lower operational costs \u2013 where the burden of behavioral transmission challenges of HIV\/AIDS remain highest. A leaner, regional, behavior-focused program could maintain awareness, and continue essential work without the legacy overhead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another example, he pointed out, is the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in New York and its branch in Geneva. The UN cannot, or has failed, to disarm or reduce the annually-increasing military budgets of the US, Russia, India or China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the UN finally adopted the now legally binding TPNW Treaty but which country has given up its nuclear weapons or stopped other countries\u2019 urge to create a nuclear weapon to protect themselves from hegemonic warmongers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this modern age of communications, there are many bloated UN departments in costly New York and Geneva that can effectively, and cost efficiently, function from any developing country, declared Wijayadasa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, as part the UN\u2019s relocation plans, there are reports that the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women may be moved out of New York and relocated to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, described as the fourth-largest UN headquarters and the only one in the Global South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently Nairobi serves as the global headquarters for UNEP<\/a> (United Nations Environment Programme) and UN-Habitat<\/a>. Besides these, several other UN agencies have offices in Nairobi, including UNICEF<\/a>, UNDP<\/a>, FAO<\/a>, UNIDO<\/a>, UNODC<\/a>, UNV<\/a>, and WHO<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Kenya is currently embroiled in a political crisis. If the turmoil continues, the UN may have second thoughts on relocating more of its offices in Nairobi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A New York Times report June 26 and titled \u201cKenyans Battle the Police a Year After Deadly Tax Protests\u201d says at least 8 people were killed and hundreds injured amid nation-wide protests \u201claid bare the anger at President William Ruto\u2019s government\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On June 26, the UN Human Rights Office said: \u201cWe are deeply concerned by reports of several deaths of protesters and many more injuries \u2013 of protesters and police officers \u2013 during demonstrations in Kenya on Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are concerned by reports that some protesters had gunshot wounds. Under international human rights law, lethal force by law enforcement officers, such as firearms, should only be used when strictly necessary in order to protect life or prevent serious injury from an imminent threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asked about the death toll and injuries in Nairobi, Dujarric told reporters June 26 said: \u201cWe\u2019re obviously concerned about the violence that we\u2019ve seen in Kenya. We\u2019re closely monitoring the situation, very saddened by the loss of life\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe look forward to an independent and transparent investigation. And it bears reminding that under international law, under human rights law, lethal force by law enforcement such as firearms should only be used when strictly necessary in order to protect life or prevent serious injury of an imminent threat,\u201d declared Dujarric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, some of the other European countries hosting UN agencies include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides Nairobi, the UN is also exploring three other possible relocation sites: Doha, Qatar Kigali, Rwanda and Valencia, Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n