The US government believes that the United Nations can get by with a smaller budget next year. The United States said that the UN basic budget can be cut by at least $250 million. The UN officials are not enthusiastic about this proposal. Even taking into account the fact that the planned expenditures for 2018 are as big as $5.4 billion, the idea to cut financing by $250 million discouraged the member states.
The United States is the main financial backer as it provides 22% of the core UN budget. However, according to several officials, even being the number one financial contributor, the US will not be able to push this proposal through. The only party that supported the US desire to be a little more cost-effective is the European Union, which also makes impressive contributions. "This is a classic game," said an official. "There are always two camps – the United States and the European Union – who want to reduce the budget and the rest of the countries who don't."
The main arguments against the proposed budget cuts are the inability to continue political missions in Libya and Afghanistan, as well as managing the office for Palestinian rights and maintenance of communication services.
