São Paulo – The General Assembly of the United Nations announced on Tuesday (27) that it will have a 5% reduction in its budget for the 2012/2013 period, as against the 2010/2011 period. In the next cycle, the United Nations (UN) will have US$ 5.15 billion, as against the US$ 5.41 billion budget for the last two years. The peace missions should not be affected by this reduction as they are not financed by these funds. This is the first cut in the UN budget in 13 years and it was the result of financial hardship in the rich nations.
The budget cut was already expected, as the UN secretary general himself, Ban Ki-moon, sent to the General Assembly a proposal for reduction of 3.2% in the organisation’s budget for 2012/2013. Ban said that it will now be necessary to “do more and better with less”.
“The task at hand is complete, but the imperative to do more and better with less remains. That is why I give you my pledge: I will instruct all my managers to continue finding new ways to make most of our precious resources. I will ensure that we optimize your contributions,” said Ban on addressing the General Assembly.
General Assembly president Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser stated that the delegations have engaged in a “robust and constructive engagement” in budget talks. He also stated that the negotiation process was particularly challenging this year due to the economic crisis.
In his proposal for the 2012-2013 budget, Ban had suggested reducing expenses with travels, external consultancy, material and equipment and operating costs. He also proposed reducing 44 posts in the United Nations to reduce the institution’s expenses.
The main sources of income of the United Nations are donations from countries. The richer nations donate more, and the poorer nations, less. The United States contributes with 22% of the institution’s budget. Transfers by rich nations represent 90% of the UN budget.
*Translated by Mark Ament
