New Delhi: The United States has outlined specific conditions for releasing billions of dollars in unpaid contributions to the United Nations, including demands for greater cost-cutting and measures to limit China’s influence within the organization, according to a report published Tuesday by a development news agency.
The U.S. has reportedly outlined nine “quick-hit” reforms in two diplomatic notes, aimed at the release more funds, independent agency Devex, which covers global development, said in the report.
These proposals include:
– Overhauling the U.N. pension system
– Eliminating long-distance business-class travel for some seniors and all mid-level professionals
– Further cuts in the U.N.’s senior ranks
– A “10% reduction in long-standing, ineffective peacekeeping missions.”
– Blocking China from channeling tens of millions of dollars each year to a discretionary fund housed in the office of the U.N. secretary-general, a move aimed at countering Chinese influence at the United Nations.
“These reforms will be an indication that the U.N. is serious about reform,” Devex quoted one of the documents as saying.
The U.S. Mission to the U.N. did not immediately provide a response when asked for comment.
The U.S. has increasingly pushed for reforms within the organization, having withdrawn from several U.N. bodies this year and reduced millions of dollars in funding last year.
China’s U.N. mission stated it had “taken note” of the Devex report, adding, “The root cause of the financial difficulties the United Nations is facing in recent years is the substantial arrears in assessed contributions by its largest contributor” – a reference to theU.S.
“We call on the member state concerned to earnestly fulfill its financial obligations to the United Nations and demonstrate its support for the organization through concrete actions,” it said in response to a Reuters request for comment.
China had “consistently and faithfully fulfilled its financial obligations, and has engaged in constructive cooperation with the United Nations,” it said.
“Attempts to block such cooperation not only do not hold any ground, but are also doomed to fail.”
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reiterated that member contributions were “treaty obligations” and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was already “leading a pretty heavy reform.”
“It involves decisions that member states must take if we want to have a U.N. that is more effective, that uses its resources in the best way possible,” Dujarric told a news briefing. “The secretary-general is doing everything he can in that direction.”
In January, Guterres warned of an “imminent financial collapse” at the U.N. due to unpaid dues, most of which are owned by the United States. In February, the U.S. had paid about $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes.
The U.S. owed $2.19 billion for the regular U.N. budget at the beginning of February, more than 95 per cent of the total then owed by other countries.
It owed another $2.4 billion for past and current peacekeeping operations, and $43.6 million for U.N. tribunals.
(DD News)