US links UN dues to reforms and China curbs

The United States has linked payment of billions in UN dues to a list of reforms, including cost cuts and measures aimed at limiting China’s influence. UN officials said assessed contributions are a treaty obligation and noted reform efforts are already under way.

WASHINTON: The United States has placed specific conditions on releasing billions of dollars it owes to the United Nations, including further cost-cutting, and moves to counter China's influence at the world body, a development news wire reported on Tuesday.

The report by Devex, an independent news organization covering global development, said two diplomatic notes circulated by the U.S. called for nine "quick-hit" reforms as a condition for releasing more funds.

It said these included: Overhauling the U.N. pension system; ending long-distance business-class travel for some senior and all mid-level professionals; imposing additional cuts to the U.N.'s senior ranks; a "10% reduction in long-standing, ineffective peacekeeping missions"; and blocking China from channeling tens of millions of dollars each year to a discretionary fund housed in the office of the UN secretary-general, a move aimed countering Chinese influence at the UN.

"These reforms will be an indication that the UN is serious about reform," Devex quoted one of the documents saying.

The US mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. has said repeatedly that it will keep pressuring the United Nations to reform after announcing its withdrawals from dozens of U.N. bodies this year and cutting millions of dollars in funding last year.

China's UN mission did not immediately respond when asked to comment.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said assessed contributions by the United States and every other UN member state were "a treaty obligation" and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was already "leading a pretty heavy reform" of the organization.

"It involves decisions that member states must take if we want to have a U.N. that is more effective, that uses its resources in the best way possible," Dujarric told a news briefing. "The secretary-general is doing everything he can in that direction."