The United Nations is imple- menting its ‘UN80 Initiative’ to reduce operational costs by relocating functions from high-cost hubs like New York and Geneva. Highly placed sources aware of the development have told the Sunday Guard- ian that Nairobi Istanbul, and Bangkok have emerged as leading contenders to host these operations. A United Nations memo- randum, accessed by the Sunday Guardian dated April 25 from the Execu- tive 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 relo- cated to lower-cost locations, streamlined, or eliminated to prepare revised budget estimates for 2026, align- ing with the UN80 Initia- tive’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, ad- vanced infrastructure, and strategic advantages, bolstered by the National Capital Region (NCR) soon having two international air- ports, 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, which would not only enhance its soft power but also demonstrate its readiness for a larger role in global multilateralism The UN80 Initiative seeks to consolidate management and operational support functions and shift non-Member State-facing roles—such as procurement, human resources, and information technology—to existing lower-cost Secretariat locations. Sources indicated that Nairobi is a frontrunner. It already hosts the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), the only UN headquarters in the Global South. Istanbul, with its transcontinental connectivity, and Bangkok, home to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), are also under consideration as regional hubs. India’s failure to propose Delhi as a candidate has prompted communications for urgent action to position the city as a competitive alternative. Delhi, which successfully hosted a global event like G-20 meet recently and follows the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is one family) aligns closely with the UN’s criteria for relocation- cost savings, operational efficiency, mandate alignment, and minimal disruption to program delivery. Sources pointed out that among the factors that would work in Delhi’s favour is its operational costs, including office space and local salaries, that are significantly lower than those in New York and Geneva. As per data, commercial real estate in areas Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida or Gurgaon, which are connected by a network of roads and metros, costs approximately $20-30 per square foot annually, compared to $80- 100 in Manhattan. Similarly, hiring from India’s vast, skilled, Englishspeaking workforce will significantly reduce the need for spending a premium on expatriate staff, providing an advantage over Nairobi’s smaller talent pool and Istanbul’s higher urban expenses. It is pertinent to mention that Delhi’s already hosts multiple UN offices, such as those of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and World Health Organization (WHO), demonstrating its capacity to support international operations, while world-class infrastructure, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) and upcoming Jewar international airport apart from high-speed internet being provided by world class telecom giants like Reliance and Bharti , enabling seamless integration of relocated functions like procurement, human resources, or IT. The city’s advanced IT capabilities support hybrid meetings, allowing staff to brief intergovernmental bodies remotely, as emphasized in the 25 April UN memorandum. The Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport), scheduled to open in the coming days will be the region’s second international airport alongside IGI. As per official data, Jewar Airport’s cargo terminal is capable of handling 250,000 tonnes annually which is ideal for supporting UN logistical needs, such as humanitarian aid distribution, making Delhi a superior logistics hub compared to Nairobi’s single major airport, Istanbul’s geopolitical constraints and Bangkok’s smaller regional connectivity. Compared to the current contenders, Delhi offers distinct advantages. Nairobi’s UNON campus is efficient but faces capacity constraints for large-scale relocations, and its time zone (Eastrapeast Africa Time, UTC+3) is less aligned with Asia-Pacific stakeholders. Istanbul’s time zone (Turkey Time, UTC+3) is similar, but its geopolitical complexities could deter UN planners.
