October 11, 11

NEWS / UN finances improve overall as some States pay up in full despite financial crisis

11 October 2011 –
The overall financial situation of the United Nations has shown improvements this year despite the weak global economy, with a number of Members States having paid their dues to the world body in full, the head of the Organization’s management department said today.

“The financial indicators for 2011 show improvements in some areas even though the global financial climate has of course worsened,” Angela Kane, the Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Management, told reporters after briefing the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which deals with budgetary and administrative issues.

“The cash positions are projected to be positive for the year end, but of course we always depend on Member States and particularly in the last quarter to come in with contributions,” she said.

Ms. Kane paid tribute to 18 Member States she said had paid all their assessed contributions in full, including to the regular UN budget and dues to peacekeeping operations, international tribunals and the so-called Capital Master Plan under which UN Headquarters in New York is being rehabilitated.

The 18 countries are Australia, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand.

Ms. Kane, however, pointed out that the unpaid assessments had increased slightly in all categories. Unpaid dues owed by Member States as 5 October stood at $4.3 billion, most of it held by a few countries, she said.

“Unpaid assessments reflect increased levels compared to last year for all categories, but the number of Member States meeting their obligations in full is higher than one year ago in all categories,” she said.

The level of debt owed by the UN to Member States, mostly countries contributing troops and equipment to peacekeeping missions, is projected to decrease to $448 million at the end of this year, compared to $539 million at the end of 2010.

In peacekeeping, the total amount outstanding as of 5 October was $3.3 billion, about $843 million higher than at the end of 2010.

“To maintain financial health it remains as critical as ever for Member States to pay their financial obligations to the UN in full and on time [and] I urge all Member States to do that, while acknowledging the improvements in some areas despite the difficult economic climate,” said Ms. Kane.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40012&Cr=budget&Cr1=