On Friday, China released a statement calling for
all UN member states to “fully meet their financial commitments to the
United Nations,” stressing that Washington owed more than $2 billion to
the organisation.
all UN member states to “fully meet their financial commitments to the
United Nations,” stressing that Washington owed more than $2 billion to
the organisation.
As of May 14, the total unpaid assessments under
the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget amount to 1.63 billion and 2.14 billion
US dollars respectively, the Chinese statement said, citing a report from the
UN Secretary-
the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget amount to 1.63 billion and 2.14 billion
US dollars respectively, the Chinese statement said, citing a report from the
UN Secretary-
General’s office and a meeting held on Thursday.
Including arrears that stretch back several years,
“the United States is the largest debtor, owing 1.165 billion and 1.332 billion
US dollars respectively,” China added.
“the United States is the largest debtor, owing 1.165 billion and 1.332 billion
US dollars respectively,” China added.
The US is the biggest contributor to the UN budget,
paying 22 percent of its annual running costs, a bill which adds up to around
$3 billion; and 25 percent of its peacekeeping operations, which amount to some
$6 billion a year.
paying 22 percent of its annual running costs, a bill which adds up to around
$3 billion; and 25 percent of its peacekeeping operations, which amount to some
$6 billion a year.
Officially, Washington is meant to pay 27.89
percent of the peacekeeping budget, but a decision made by Congress and
implemented by President Donald Trump in 2017 cut that payment to 25 percent,
meaning Washington runs up an annual shortfall of $200 million.
percent of the peacekeeping budget, but a decision made by Congress and
implemented by President Donald Trump in 2017 cut that payment to 25 percent,
meaning Washington runs up an annual shortfall of $200 million.
The United States also has a fiscal year that runs
from October to October, which can make it look like an even bigger debtor at
certain times of the year.
from October to October, which can make it look like an even bigger debtor at
certain times of the year.
The US mission to the UN dismissed the call, saying
China is “eager to distract attention from its cover-up and mismanagement of
the COVID-19 crisis, and this is yet another example.”
China is “eager to distract attention from its cover-up and mismanagement of
the COVID-19 crisis, and this is yet another example.”
It continued: “The United States recently made a
payment of $726 million toward its peacekeeping assessment, and per practice
will pay the bulk of its assessment at the end of the calendar year.”
payment of $726 million toward its peacekeeping assessment, and per practice
will pay the bulk of its assessment at the end of the calendar year.”
It said the total peacekeeping arrears was $888
million, adding: “Roughly two-thirds of this amount is the result of payment at
the rate of 25 percent from 2017 through the present.”
million, adding: “Roughly two-thirds of this amount is the result of payment at
the rate of 25 percent from 2017 through the present.”
The payment of donations from individual nations to
peacekeeping activities has a significant effect on the UN fees to nations that
send troops to the 15 or so missions around the world.
peacekeeping activities has a significant effect on the UN fees to nations that
send troops to the 15 or so missions around the world.
In a report on May 11, Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres warned that “there may be significant delays towards the middle of the
year, unless the cash position across missions improves significantly.”
Guterres warned that “there may be significant delays towards the middle of the
year, unless the cash position across missions improves significantly.”
On Thursday, about 50 of the 193 Member States,
including China, paid their contributions in full, as Beijing the second
biggest donor, well behind the United States said in its announcement.
including China, paid their contributions in full, as Beijing the second
biggest donor, well behind the United States said in its announcement.
China contributes approximately 12 per cent of the
operating expenses of the UN and about 15 per cent of the budget for
peacekeeping.
operating expenses of the UN and about 15 per cent of the budget for
peacekeeping.
