New UN Peacekeeping Budget Passed

Last week, the Fifth Committee Peacekeeping Budget, effective from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, was passed. Along with monetary shifting and restructuring of peacekeeping staff, the new mandate reiterates important stances on human rights preservations where missions are present. As the peacekeeping structure in the UN continues to evolve and shift into a more effective system, we have to stay focused on the imperative nature and continual support of peacekeeping missions around the world.

With more effective management, the UN was able to cut roughly $537 million from their budget. In a statement released today by U.N. Ambassador Joseph Torsella, the new focus of funds, "shifts resources from overhead to operations." While the implementation of more effective appropriations of funds and management is a great step towards the future of UN peacekeeping, it is also important to recognize the need for increased funding elsewhere in the peacekeeping budget. Dr. Paul Williams of George Washington University spoke of the need to increase funding for different supplies for peacekeeping missions, including the need for 17 more helicopters to transport troops and civilians around rough terrain yesterday at an event sponsored by Citizens for Global Solutions on the Hill.

The U.S. normally contributes roughly 27% of the UN's peacekeeping efforts, which is only about 1% of the .U.S total budget for all foreign affairs spending. With the new cuts, the U.S. will contribute approximately $150 million less each year.  Supporting US peacekeeping is also an investment due to the worldwide "burden sharing" inherent in a multilateral organization.  In the US Engagement in International Peacekeeping, a report published by Citizens for Global Solutions, it was noted that according to a 2006 study completed by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.N. peacekeeping is eight times less expensive than funding a comparable U.S. force.

Additionally, the new legislation, "reaffirmed its unified support for the Secretary-General's 'zero tolerance' policy on sexual exploitation and abuse," as the US Mission to the United States stated and "the first-ever comprehensive review of civilian staffing to ensure that staffing levels better align with changing requirements as missions evolve." By tightening the legislation regarding civilian participation the UN seems to be making more steps to better adapt their peacekeeping missions to the environment.

Torsella, the U.S. Representative to the UN Management and Reform, stated, "The United States welcomes the Fifth Committee's approval of the UN peacekeeping budgets that provide significant savings to American taxpayers while supporting and strengthening crucial UN peacekeeping operations around the world."   The new budget released is a great indicator of recent changes in UN peacekeeping; however, in regards to reducing conflict worldwide, it is evident that there is always room for improvement.