US meets its promise to cut UN budget

(MENA) – The US Mission to the United Nations announced that it negotiated a major reduction in the UN’s budget for the upcoming fiscal years, The Hill newspaper reported.

According to a statement from the mission, the 2018-2019 UN budget will have a $285 million reduction from the previous two years.

“In addition to these significant cost savings, we reduced the UN’s bloated management and support functions, bolstered support for key US priorities throughout the world, and instilled more discipline and accountability throughout the UN system,” the statement reads.

One of US President Donald Trump administration’s goals has been to reduce the amount of contributions that the US makes to the UN. The US currently provides for about 22 percent of the annual budget, or about $3.3 billion per year, according to PolitiFact.

The UN General Assembly previously approved a $5.4 billion operating budget for 2016 and 2017. The regular budget is separate from the body’s budget for its sprawling peacekeeping operations, which totaled $7.8 billion for 2017 alone.

UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said that the budget cut announced Sunday is a “big step in the right direction” for the US, and that she will continue to pursue “ways to increase the UN’s efficiency‎ while protecting our interests.”

“The inefficiency and overspending of the United Nations are well known,” Haley said. “We will no longer let the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of or remain unchecked. This historic reduction in spending – in addition to many other moves toward a more efficient and accountable UN – is a big step in the right direction.”

Conservatives have long criticized the UN as not being in the US’s interests, and many have amplified their concerns after the global body overwhelmingly voted for a resolution last week to oppose President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Trump suggested earlier this month that the US may cut off foreign aid to nations who voted for the UN resolution, and Haley said that the US would be “taking names.”