UN Peacekeeping Missions Brace for a Budget Fallout—Can They Sink or Swim?
On Monday, a mix of UN officials and diplomats warned that the world’s peacekeeping armory could hit the brakes this Thursday if the General Assembly fails to sign off on the $6 billion, or S$8 billion, funding package that runs until June 30, 2022.
Why the Budget Battle Is Turning Into a Tug‑of‑War
- Negotiation Shuffles – New rules and procedural tweaks have muddied the waters.
- Logistics Lag – Getting the paperwork and numbers straight through their loops is harder than it looks.
- East Meets West – China and the Western bloc are locked in a high‑stakes face‑off that has stalled progress.
What the UN’s Management Head Says
“We’ve told all twelve peacekeeping missions—most of which hover over Africa and the Middle East—to start drafting backup plans in case the budget nothingifies the schedule,” explains Catherine Pollard, head of management strategy, policy and compliance at the UN. “But we’re still positive and confident that the member states will get through this negotiation dance.”
So, while the UN’s global peacekeepers hold their breath, the spotlight is on the high‑level political chessboard to see who’ll close the fiscal deal before the clock runs out.
<img alt="" data-caption="UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicles drive in Naqoura, near the Lebanese-Israeli border, southern Lebanon, on May 4, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”b10bde17-9f27-471c-ae40-7494722203a5″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210629_un_reuters.jpg”/>
UN Money Crunch Looms
What the Secretary-General Says:
- If the June 30 deadline slips, Antonio Guterres will have to live on a tight budget that only covers the basics: protecting UN assets and keeping staff safely out of harm’s way.
- No extra cash means nobody gets to look after civilians, fight Covid‑19, or push political peace talks.
Mission‑Critical Warning from the Peacekeeping Chief
Jean‑Pierre Lacroix warns that it’s not just a budget headache; it’s a mission squeeze. “Completely blunt,” he says, “we’ll be unable to do the essential stuff—protecting people, dealing with health crises, and even mediating conflicts.”
Who’s Paying the Bill?
- United States tops the chart at 28% of the peacekeeping budget.
- Next up is China with 15.2%.
- Then Japan pulls in about 8.5%.
So, while the UN tries to keep everything running, it’s a race against time—no ifs, no buts, just a June 30 deal. If that line is missed, half the world’s peacekeepers will have to improvise their own safety plan… with a lot of extra “borrowing” from the budgetary books.