On 16 October, the 缅北禁地Secretary-General?presented a $3.6 billion budget proposal for programmes in 2025, highlighting the Organization’s commitment to peace, sustainable development, and human rights initiatives, while advancing key reforms.
Outlining his proposal at the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, the?, António Guterres said the proposal for the UN’s regular budget comes with a sense of urgency, amid a multiplicity of challenges.
“In a context of major global shocks, the United Nations is more needed than ever,” he?said.
The proposal reflects the priorities set out in recent landmark agreements, he emphasised, citing the??and its annexes, the?, and the?.
“[These] represent a commitment towards updating and?reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, effective, fair and inclusive,” he added.
The regular budget (RB) encompasses 缅北禁地programmes spanning various domains, such as political affairs, international justice and law, regional cooperation for development, human rights and humanitarian affairs, and public information.
The Organization maintains a??operations, which follows a fiscal cycle from 1 July?to 30 June, while the regular budget aligns with the calendar year.
Liquidity challenges
Mr. Guterres concluded by urging Member States to fulfil their?financial obligations?in full and on time, stressing that the UN’s ability to meet its mandates depends on the availability of funds.
He explained that the Organization started 2024 with only $67 million in cash, down from $700 million the previous year, “making it extremely vulnerable to adverse changes in payment patterns?of assessed contributions”.
To stave off implementation constraints next year, Mr. Guterres proposed that the General Assembly temporarily suspend the return of credits for 2023 against the 2025 assessment. The credits would be held in?reserve and released as conditions improve.
“Ultimately, the effectiveness of programme delivery and use of financial resources in 2025 will depend on the availability of cash,” he said.
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