Since some want to talk of defunding, perhaps it's time to have a long-awaited conversation about defunding the UN.
In 2016-2017, the United States paid 22% of the UN’s Regular Budget and 28.4% of the Peacekeeping Budget.
The other four permanent members of the Security Council paid a combined total of 18.3% of the Regular Budget and 23.5% of the Peacekeeping Budget.
The other four permanent members of the Security Council paid a combined total of 18.3% of the Regular Budget and 23.5% of the Peacekeeping Budget.
This disparity in payments creates a very real budgetary problem.
The vast majority of nations have every incentive to inflate and/or expand the UN’s budgets as they receive the benefits while effectively paying almost none of the costs.
The vast majority of nations have every incentive to inflate and/or expand the UN’s budgets as they receive the benefits while effectively paying almost none of the costs.
Especially problematic is the cost of personnel which amount to more than 70% of UN spending.
UN employees enjoy extremely generous salaries and benefits – 32.2% higher than their next highest paid counter-parts in Washington (this figure comes from the UN itself).
UN employees enjoy extremely generous salaries and benefits – 32.2% higher than their next highest paid counter-parts in Washington (this figure comes from the UN itself).
A 2016 audit of the United Nations Refugee Commission by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) found the UN turned over literally hundreds of millions of dollars to various partners with literally no oversight of fund usage.
Another devastating 2016 report by the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) on “Fraud Detection, Prevention and Response” found the UN in a “near state of denial” over corruption and fraud within its system. The full report can be found here:
fao.org/3/a-mv340e.pdf
fao.org/3/a-mv340e.pdf
The listings and allegations are almost endless – as are the toothless reports issued by one UN agency or another. In almost all instances investigations are stonewalled and delayed.
Rarely, if ever, is anyone actually held accountable.
Rarely, if ever, is anyone actually held accountable.
A UN study in 2014 found that UN peacekeeping missions routinely avoid using force to protect civilians who are under attack, intervening in only 20% of cases despite authorization to do so.
Examples of UN Peacekeeping failures continue for as long as one cares to look for them.
Examples of UN Peacekeeping failures continue for as long as one cares to look for them.
