UN Peacekeeping Faces Severe Budget Cuts as Member States Default

The United Nations peacekeeping operations are at significant risk due to a funding crisis stemming from the failure of member states to pay their contributions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning in a letter to UN personnel on October 27, 2023, indicating that a reduction in spending ranging from 15% to 25% will be implemented across all missions to address the shortfall.

Guterres’ comments come as the Irish contingent involved in the Lebanese UNIFIL mission is facing potential closure following a recent UN Security Council vote. Other missions have similarly struggled in recent years, with a new peacekeeping initiative planned for Gaza contingent on the continuation of a ceasefire and a US-backed stabilization force set to be deployed to Haiti.

“Our peacekeeping operations are facing an extremely difficult financial situation,” Guterres stated. He highlighted the current liquidity crisis as a direct result of accumulated arrears and the non-payment of assessed contributions in a timely manner. As of the start of the current peacekeeping budget cycle in July 2023, the UN is grappling with arrears totaling US$2.066 billion (approximately €1.75 billion), with collections projected to fall short by US$880 million (around €750 million).

In response to the fiscal challenges, Guterres has taken steps to engage with member states and implement measures introduced last year to better align spending with cash inflows. He acknowledged the dedication of the UN workforce and contributing nations providing military and police forces, stating that these efforts have allowed ongoing operations.

Yet, he warned that the current situation is unsustainable, with contributing countries effectively financing the system while waiting over a year for reimbursement. Guterres remarked, “The margin of manoeuvre gained from earlier liquidity measures approved by the General Assembly, as well as our own spending restrictions, is now exhausted.”

The planned reductions will affect all peacekeeping missions, mandating a 15% cut across the board, while the mission in Somalia will face a steep 25% reduction. The urgency of implementing these cuts within the next nine months means that the impact will be pronounced. Guterres noted that some staff separations, or layoffs, are inevitable, and missions will need to engage with staff representative bodies to invoke downsizing policies.

“I know the impact on affected staff, personnel, and their families will be enormous, and I want to acknowledge the personal toll such measures entail,” he added. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of this crisis, stating that the true impact remains uncertain.

As the UN peacekeeping operations have expanded dramatically over recent decades, the challenges they face today highlight a pressing need for reliable funding. In the early 1990s, there were approximately 11,000 peacekeepers; by 2014, that number had surged to about 130,000 across 16 operations. Currently, around 52,000 personnel are deployed in 11 conflict areas across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The funding crisis has been exacerbated in recent years, particularly as the United States significantly reduced its contributions to the UN budget following the election of former President Donald Trump. As the situation develops, it may open opportunities for greater NATO or EU-led missions that could work alongside organizations such as the African Union.

The international community now faces critical decisions as the future of UN peacekeeping hangs in the balance.