U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres pleaded with member states on Tuesday, saying that the organization’s peacekeeping effort is “only as strong as their commitment to it.”
Currently, the UN peacekeeping agency oversees 11 missions in nations like Kosovo, South Sudan, Lebanon, Congo, the Central African Republic, and Cyprus.
Nine of those operations have a $5.6 billion budget for the fiscal year ending June 30th, which is 8.2% less than the previous year.
All 193 member states of the United Nations are legally required to contribute to peacekeeping.
As Guterres contended, with a budget “representing a tiny fraction of global military spending — around one-half of one percent — U.N. peacekeeping remains one of the most effective and cost-effective tools to build international peace and security.”
“But it’s only as strong as member states’ commitment to it,” he said at the start of a two-day ministerial conference hosted by Germany to discuss the future of peacekeeping.
“Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems. It is absolutely essential that all member states respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time.”
Although Guterres did not elaborate on the issues, he admitted that “these are tough times for the financing of our work across the board.”
More generally, under President Donald Trump’s administration, the United Nations has been rushing to respond to cuts in funding for aid operations from the United States, its largest donor.
Johann Wadephul, the foreign minister of Germany, stated that his nation, like many others, “is prepared to pledge additional resources” for peacekeeping.
However, he added that efforts should be made to make missions “more efficient and more focused” by reducing bureaucracy, avoiding duplication, and establishing clearer mandates.
By Najat Adamu
