Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet
Acting Deputy Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
October 16, 2020
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to thank Ms. Catherine Pollard, USG, DMPSC, for her presentation last week, as well as today, on the UN financial situation. I would also like to thank the Controller, Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, for his work.
Mr. Chair,
We have not always made a statement during this discussion and instead worked diligently to ensure our payments are received. However, we feel it is necessary to ensure delegations understand what the United States is contributing to the UN and the broader UN system.
It hardly bears repeating that since the founding of the United Nations, the United States continues to be the largest contributor by far to the organization. Already this year, the United States has contributed $2.3 billion in assessed contributions. This is $1 billion more than the next largest contributor, and more than the total contributions of 186 Member States combined. The United States is also the largest contributor of voluntary funds to the United Nations system, providing approximately $7 billion in voluntary contributions every year, more than double the next largest voluntary contributor, and more than the contributions of 200 countries and organizations combined. For certain countries to suggest we are not meeting our obligations or that we are contributing to the UN’s financial crisis is patently false and downright insulting. Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric by some delegations wishing to distort the facts. We are proud of our contributions and will continue making our contributions to the Organization.
I would also like to note, as other Member States and the UN are surely aware, due to the timing of the US fiscal year, the US will pay the remainder of this year’s regular budget assessment before the end of the year. Our payment cycle has been consistent since the 1980s and we have consistently supported this Organization even though our fiscal years do not align with the UN.
Mr. Chair,
Reflecting on Ms. Pollard’s presentation, I would like to commend the UN for its improved financial management. As noted in the presentation, the amount and timing of cash contributions has been relatively consistent over the last three years, but, due to better financial management, in September of this year, the UN only utilized the working capital fund for liquidity purposes and did not need to tap into the special account or closed PKOs, as they have in 2018 and 2019. It is important that the UN continues to use sound financial management practices in the future, independent of the liquidity situation of the Organization.
Thank you very much.
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