Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Mary June Pettyfer: Remarks on the UN Financial Crisis (October 24, 1996) Mary June Pettyfer
Remarks on the United Nations Financial Crisis
and the Worldwide Candleight VigilUnited Nations' Day, October 24, 1996
Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaToday we have an opportunity to reappraise our commitment to the United Nations. I want to speak specifically about its financial crisis. This is not a new situation but it is steadily worsening to crisis point with the accumulation of dues owed to it over many years.
It is fashionable to criticise the UN for not being stronger or more effective. Frequently overlooked, is the crippling effect of it severe financial restraints. The UN system cost about $10 billion a year. This breaks down to $2 for every person on earth. $10 billion may seem a lot. But to put it in perspective, the world spends over $800 billion on its annual military expenses. And what does this $10 billion System include?: peacekeeping, environmental programs and monitoring, education, health programmes, food and humanitarian relief, and a host of other things.
Canada always pays in full and on time. But as of the beginning of last month, more than 100 Member States owed a total of $2.9 billion. Some States can't pay because of their own economic problems. But several of the world's richest countries are the most delinquent.
The largest debtor is the USA which has for years withheld payments and imposed unacceptable conditions. The US now owes $1.8 billion, more than all the other countries combined. What we hear repeatedly in the media about the lack of the support by the US is usually the ranting of US politicians in Congress. In fact, polls show a surprisingly large majority of US citizen support for the UN. A recent US citizen campaign, asking individuals to send in whatever they can to the UN, has resulted in thousands of cheques, many of them small amounts from ordinary folk who feel ashamed of the government's behaviour. Earlier this month, the US government was shamed into paying up some of its dues, but it still owes over $1 billion.
If the UN is to become more effective, it must resolve its chronic and persistent lack of financial resources. It should have independent sources of funding in addition to the present system of depending on tithes from its member States.
There are so many suggestions by economists, international NGOs and even some member States for alternative sources of funding. As a matter of common sense, fundraising for the UN should come from activities which benefit from the peaceful international order which the UN hopes to provide: for example, taxes on international currency exchanges or the uses of fuels which generate greenhouse gases. Regardless of what might be the most ideal means of raising these funds, what's important at this stage is gaining political acceptance for the idea of providing some independent funding for the UN. We have to discuss, advertise, lobby for and generally support the concept of establishing some mechanism for providing the UN with reliable sources for funds.
Political support from countries like Canada for alternative UN funding methods could also lead other Member States to more promptly pay their current and overdue UN assessments. But the continual harping at others to pay up isn't going to resolve the problem. It is in Canada's interest to have a well-funded UN system, and we have to find additional, independent sources to support it.
The UN was created in the name of "We the Peoples," and it is we, the peoples, who ultimately stand to benefit the most from the efficient functioning of the UN, and conversely to lost the most by its impoverishment. It is up to us to speak out, as individuals and Canadian citizens, to show our support for the United Nations and to help it become a truly democratic and just representative of all the citizens of the world.
Let us all mark this UN Day by renewed commitment to support the UN by word and deed. we are indeed fortunate to live in a country where the UN has always enjoyed strong support, and to live in a free society where our voices can be heard. Let us make the most of our good fortune and carry our UN flag forward.
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