The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that Antonio Guterres said billions of dollars owed by the United States to the United Nations are “non-negotiable,” following reports that Washington had attached conditions to releasing the funds.
“The money we are talking about is referred to as assessed contributions,” Guterres told reporters on Thursday. “Assessed contributions are an obligation of member states. They are non-negotiable.”
According to Reuters, development news outlet Devex reported that U.S. diplomatic notes called for nine “quick-hit” reforms as conditions for releasing additional funding, including cost-cutting measures and steps aimed at countering China’s influence at the United Nations.
Guterres, who has been leading reform efforts under pressure from member states, particularly the United States, said the U.N. would work to ensure it becomes more effective and cost-efficient in delivering for people worldwide.
The reported U.S. proposals include overhauling the U.N. pension system, limiting business-class travel for some staff, reducing senior positions, and cutting about 10% of long-running peacekeeping missions deemed ineffective.
They also include measures aimed at limiting China’s financial influence within discretionary funds linked to the secretary-general’s office.
The U.S. mission to the United Nations has not commented on the reports. Washington has repeatedly said it will continue to push for reforms after withdrawing from several U.N. bodies this year and cutting millions of dollars in funding last year.
Guterres warned in January that the United Nations faced an “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid contributions, most of which are owed by the United States. The U.N. said in February that Washington had paid about $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes to the organization.
