During a press briefing in New York on Thursday, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric addressed the implications of a recent memorandum released by the White House. He emphasized that the United Nations will persist in executing its mandates from Member States “with determination.” This follows the announcement that the US administration is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.”
The memorandum details that several entities listed are primarily or partially funded through the regular UN budget. This suggests that while voluntary funding may be affected, central funding will continue. However, the White House has indicated that its review of funding for international organizations is ongoing, leaving the full impact of this decision uncertain.
The memorandum outlines 31 UN entities that play vital roles in improving the lives of individuals and communities worldwide. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of these organizations and their positive contributions:
The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa provides informed advice on the continent, ensuring that UN actions align with the needs of its inhabitants. The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent aims to enhance the safety, quality of life, and development of individuals of African descent while offering guidance to the UN Human Rights Council.
The UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) offers technical assistance, policy guidance, and financing for sustainable forest management. Additionally, UN Energy coordinates the efforts of 30 UN agencies and international organizations to promote affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access for all.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is essential for international cooperation, organizing climate summits to ensure transparency in addressing climate change. The UN Oceans initiative enhances collaboration on oceanic issues, focusing on the protection of marine ecosystems and sustainable ocean governance. Meanwhile, UN Water coordinates efforts on water and sanitation, advocating for sustainable management of water resources.
The UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination gathers the heads of UN organizations to ensure a cohesive response to global challenges and effective delivery of mandates.
The UN Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat) promotes sustainable urban development and offers technical advice to improve living conditions and reduce urban poverty. The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides essential training and capacity-building, particularly for developing nations, in areas such as diplomacy and sustainable development.
The UN System Staff College equips UN personnel with training and advisory services, ensuring a capable and adaptable workforce. The UN University serves as a global think tank, conducting research and offering policy advice on critical global issues. Education Cannot Wait is a dedicated UN global fund that ensures children affected by crises have access to quality education.
UN Women is the agency focused on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, advocating for gender equality and empowerment globally.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, striving for gender equality while providing crucial population data for development.
The International Law Commission is tasked with developing and codifying international law, fostering peaceful relations among states. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals continues the essential functions of previous tribunals, ensuring accountability for serious international crimes.
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict advocates for the protection of children affected by conflict. This is complemented by efforts from the Office of the Special Representative on Violence Against Children and the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, both working to eliminate violence against vulnerable populations.
The Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund support countries emerging from conflict, providing strategic advice and funding for stability and development. The UN Alliance of Civilizations promotes dialogue among nations to counter polarization, while the UN Register of Conventional Arms encourages transparency in arms transfers, reducing the risk of armed conflict.
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs analyzes economic, social, and environmental data to help nations tackle development challenges. Regional economic commissions, including those for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia, provide policy guidance and facilitate intergovernmental dialogue for sustainable development.
Additionally, the International Trade Centre empowers small and medium-sized enterprises in developing economies, while the UN Conference on Trade and Development assists developing countries in integrating into the global economy through research, policy analysis, and technical assistance.
As the situation evolves, the impact of the US funding review on these vital UN entities remains to be seen, emphasizing the importance of their continued operations in fostering global development and peace.