U.S. Proposal for Paying UN Dues: Limiting Chinese Funding

According to Reuters, the United States has recently proposed to the United Nations that it can fulfill its obligation to pay dues, but only if certain conditions set by the U.S. are met—among them limiting China’s financial contributions to the UN—as part of an effort to "contain China's influence."

The independent global development news outlet Devex reported that the U.S. has put forward nine "rapid" reform measures, demanding further budget cuts from the UN, including reforms to the UN pension system, banning senior officials and all mid-level officials from flying business class, reducing senior leadership positions, and blocking China from providing annual funding to a discretionary fund managed by the Office of the UN Secretary-General.

As of now, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations has not responded to these reports. Previously, the U.S. announced its withdrawal from multiple UN agencies and significantly reduced funding to the UN and other international organizations, yet repeatedly stated that it would continue pressuring the UN to implement reforms. The Chinese Mission to the United Nations has also declined to comment.

UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said that paying dues is an obligation all UN member states must fulfill. He noted that Secretary-General António Guterres has already led a "challenging reform process," adding, "If we want the UN to become more effective and able to best utilize its resources, this requires decisions that member states must make."

Guterres warned in January this year that due to unpaid dues, the UN is facing an "imminent financial collapse," with the U.S. being the largest delinquent payer. In February, the UN reported that out of over $4 billion in arrears, the U.S. had paid only $160 million.

As of early February this year, the U.S. owed $2.19 billion in regular UN budget payments—over 95% of the total outstanding debts from all countries. Additionally, the U.S. owes $2.4 billion in peacekeeping operation costs and $43.6 million in UN court fees.

Source: sputniknews

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863864057317642/

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