Trump: Despite cutbacks, the UN leader promises to continue all required tasks
Trump: Despite US President Donald Trump’s statement that the US was severing relations to 31 UN-related agencies and stopping financing, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is certain that the international organization will carry out all of its statutory functions.
Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that “all United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given to us by member states,” notwithstanding his disappointment for the US decision.
According to him, the United States was legally required by the UN Charter to pay its assessed dues for the regular and peacekeeping budgets that the General Assembly had authorized.
“We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination because the United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for all those who depend on us,” he said.
The targeted organizations were accused by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of attempting “to constrain US sovereignty” and collaborating with “elite networks,” which he referred to as the “multilateral ‘NGO-plex’.”
On Wednesday, Trump issued an order for his government to cease financing and involvement in 31 UN agencies and 35 other organizations, including the International Solar Alliance, which has its headquarters in India, as part of his America First campaign.
Organizations involved in climate change, development, the economy, trade, the environment, and gender issues were the targets of the ideologically motivated activity.
These included the UN Framework Conference on Climate Change, the UN Population Fund, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Trade Center, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the special representatives of the secretary-general who dealt with sexual violence in armed conflict, violence against children, and children in armed conflict.
“We continue our work with determination, whether it’s on climate, whether it’s on protecting children from violence, whether it’s on the agenda on gender issues,” Dujarric said.
“A country cannot choose which of the entities covered by the UN’s regular budget to contribute to because it is required to pay the full amount due,” he added.
Washington received $820 million last year, or 22% of the usual budget.
Despite Congress’s approval, Trump has yet to pay the UN.
His administration has suggested a $610 million reduction in this year’s contribution.
According to the Charter, a nation shall lose its right to vote in the General Assembly if its arrears are equal to or more than the amount owed for the previous two full years.
Nevertheless, the United States will retain its veto power in the Security Council even if it crosses that threshold.
Trump has targeted organizations like UNCTAD, which collect dues from members directly rather than via the UN budget.
Prior to Wednesday’s attack on the UN, Trump had directed the US to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, and the cultural, educational, and scientific organization UNESCO.