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US hails UN budget cuts as ‘step in right direction’
UNITED NATIONS, United States, Dec 26, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – The United States on
Sunday applauded a $285-million-cut in the UN core budget, saying it was “a
big step in right direction.”
The General Assembly adopted a budget of $5.396 billion for 2018-2019,
slightly below the $5.4 billion that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
had sought.
The United States is by far the largest contributor to the UN budget,
providing for 22 percent of the core budget.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley said in a statement that “inefficiency and
overspending” at the world body were “well known.”
Haley said the budget negotiations had generated several “successes” with
financial cutbacks and a reduction of the UN’s “bloated management and
support functions.”
“We will no longer let the generosity of the American people be taken
advantage of or remain unchecked,” she said.
“This historic reduction in spending — in addition to many other moves
toward a more efficient and accountable UN — is a big step in the right
direction.”
“While we are pleased with the results of this year’s budget negotiations,
you can be sure we’ll continue to look at ways to increase the UN’s
efficiency while protecting our interests,” she added.
The UN’s operating budget is separate from its peacekeeping budget, which
was cut by $600 million this year under pressure from the administration of
US President Donald Trump.
The push for deeper cuts comes as Guterres is trying to build support for
his plans for reform of the UN bureaucracy.
Guterres’ budget proposal was $200 million below the 2016-2017 biennial
budget.
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During a meeting held on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly debate
in September, Trump said the United Nations had failed to reach its “full
potential due to bureaucracy and mismanagement.”
“We are not seeing the results in line with this investment,” he said.
Last week, Trump threatened to cut funding to countries that supported a UN
resolution rejecting his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
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