The United Nations is considering relocating headquarters of three major agencies—UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA—from New York to Nairobi by 2026, as part of the UN's broader "UN@80" reform initiative aimed at enhancing global inclusivity and operational efficiency.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the potential move would bring operations "closer to the people we serve," particularly in regions most impacted by UN work, with over 60% of humanitarian programs currently focused on African countries.
However, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq clarified that reports of finalized plans are premature, stating "It's not a sure thing" and that various proposals are still being discussed at early stages with executive boards and staff organizations.
If implemented, Nairobi would become only the fourth city globally, alongside New York, Geneva, and Vienna, to host multiple major UN agency headquarters, with an estimated 800 new international staff and their families relocating over two years.
The proposed relocation is expected to generate significant cost savings compared to expensive New York operations while positioning Africa more centrally in global governance, as Nairobi currently hosts 23 UN entities including UNEP and UN-Habitat.
