UN Clarifies: No Final Decision on Relocation of UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA to Nairobi, Kenya

Relocation of UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA remains under discussion, says Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq

Amid growing speculation over a major shift in the United Nations’ global operations, the UN has denied claims that it has finalized plans to relocate the headquarters of several key agencies — including UNICEF, UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) — from New York City to Nairobi, Kenya, by 2026.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Deputy UN Spokesman Farhan Haq clarified that while discussions are ongoing, no concrete decision has been made regarding the proposed move.

“It’s not a sure thing,” Haq stated in response to media reports suggesting a finalized timeline and destination for the agency relocations. He emphasized that while cost-effectiveness is a consideration for the UN’s future operations, the proposal remains at a preliminary stage.

“There are certain options, as you know, that are being considered in terms of making the United Nations more cost-effective,” Haq said. He noted that these discussions are taking place across various levels within the organization — including the executive boards of the agencies involved, as well as their respective staff.

Haq further pointed to remarks made by Secretary-General António Guterres, who previously suggested that the UN is exploring ways to decentralize its operations and shift more activities to the field and to regions where operational costs are lower. Nairobi, already home to the UN’s Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has been floated as one of the possible options.

However, Haq stressed that such considerations are still in the exploratory phase and subject to further evaluation and consultation.

“We’re at an early stage,” he reiterated, adding that any decision to relocate would require extensive dialogue and consensus across multiple stakeholders, including the member states and affected UN personnel.

The possibility of moving major UN agency headquarters out of New York has stirred debate, raising questions about the logistical, political, and symbolic implications of such a move. Supporters argue that decentralization could bring the organization closer to the communities it serves, particularly in the Global South, while critics warn that it could disrupt operations and dilute the UN’s influence in global policy circles.

As of now, the status of the proposed relocations remains uncertain, with UN leadership continuing to weigh its options.