The cuts, now in their third month, are a response to a situation described by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “extremely alarming”. The United Nations has a $768 million hole in its $2.85 billion 2019 general budget because 51 countries have not paid all their fees, including two big paymasters: the United States and Brazil. Ambassador Hashmi urged member states to pay their dues, saying important UN business should not be “held hostage” to financial constraints. Some critics say the United Nations could spend less on perks and bloated, often tax-free, salaries for senior officials. “The United Nations has been under pressure for many years to reduce its resources yet to deliver more.

Source: National Post December 20, 2019 14:15 UTC