United States Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
July 8, 2021
FACT SHEET: U.S. Accomplishments During UN Fifth Committee Negotiations (May-June 2021 Session)
The United States demonstrated significant leadership in the United Nations Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary Committee) which led to agreement on UN Peacekeeping budgets, UN Reform, and oversight matters during this session:
Promoting UN Fiscal Discipline and Reform
- Approved a $6.38 billion 2021/2022 UN peacekeeping budget for 11 active missions, a $400 million decrease from the 2020/2021 budget. This translates to approximately $100 million in savings for the U.S. taxpayer.
Advancing Policies That Drive Peacekeeping Reform and Accountability
- Advanced implementation of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System, a data-driven reporting and analysis tool which will enhance peacekeeping operations’ strategic planning and budget formulation by linking costs and performance to mandated activities;
- Called for advance transition planning for peacekeeping operations to ensure orderly drawdown, liquidation, and timely transfer of responsibilities to United Nations Country Teams following lessons learned from recent closing missions;
- Highlighted the importance of the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda;
- Reaffirmed the independence of the UN Board of Auditors, which has provided valuable insights on challenges to peacekeeping performance in the field;
- Stressed the need to prioritize resources for protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations;
- Provided support for the Secretary-General’s multi-year environmental strategy, and mandated its full implementation to reduce the environmental footprint of peacekeeping operations;
- Underscored the need to continue implementation of the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse by all UN uniformed and civilian personnel;
Ensuring Continued and Effective Mandate Implementation
- Provided resources for the increase in uniformed personnel in MINUSCA following the 2020 violence in the Central African Republic;
- Protected resources for Unmanned Aerial Systems which enhance situational awareness in the field and reduce threats to safety and security of UN personnel;
- Successfully blocked any cuts to human rights or gender posts, defending them against countries that oppose human rights functions in UN peacekeeping operations and/or mainstreaming a gender-sensitive approach to mandate implementation;
- Protected mandated human rights, conduct and discipline, and oversight functions in support of peacekeeping mandates at UN Headquarters;
- Assured extension of special measures for active duty military and police seconded personnel through 2024, protecting continued U.S. interests in the program.
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