UNITED NATIONS: Status of U.S. Contributions and Arrears.
Abstract
For several years the United States has been in arrears in the payment of its assessed contributions for the U.N. regular budget, international tribunals, and peacekeeping operations. Assessed contributions-which are levied on U.N. members to fund the organization's activities-are considered to be in arrears if unpaid by December 31 of the year they came due. Article 19 of the U.N. Charter states that a member shall lose its right to vote in the U.N. General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of its assessed contributions for the preceding 2 years. You were concerned that the United States could lose its right to vote on January 1, 2000, unless it reduces its arrears before the end of 1999. As you requested, this report (1) estimates the amount the United States will need to pay before the end of 1999 to avoid losing its right to vote, taking into account currently anticipated payments; (2) discusses the trend in U.S. assessed contributions and arrears that has led to the current situation; (3) discusses current U.S. arrears and the amounts withheld for legislative and policy reasons; and (4) describes the status of member states that lost their right to vote in the General Assembly at the beginning of 1999. This report updates information contained in our prior report to you on U.N. financial issues and U.S. arrears. 1
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA367578
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office