The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is advocating for more UN agencies to relocate staff and functions to Nairobi, citing cost efficiency, a favorable climate, and a strategic global location.

• Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of UNON, highlighted that Nairobi offers significantly lower housing and living costs compared to cities like New York, where a two-bedroom apartment rent can exceed $6,000 a month.

• The relocations align with the UN Secretary-General’s efficiency agenda, aiming to cut costs, consolidate services, and reinvest savings into programs.

• Nairobi is one of only four UN headquarters globally and the sole one in the Global South, already hosting over 20 UN agencies.

• To accommodate growing demand, the UN General Assembly has approved nearly USD 340 million in expansion projects at UNON, including six new office buildings and a USD 265.6 million upgrade of conference facilities.