US News

UN peacekeeping missions prepare for possible shutdown

NEW YORK — United Nations peacekeeping missions globally are preparing for a possible shutdown Thursday if the 193-member UN General Assembly is unable to agree on a new $6 billion budget for the year to June 30, 2022, officials and diplomats said Monday.

Some diplomats blamed changes to negotiating procedures, issues with logistics and tough talks pitting China against Western countries for the delay in reaching an agreement.

Catherine Pollard, the UN head of management strategy, policy and compliance, said the world body’s 12 peacekeeping missions — most of which are in Africa and the Middle East — had been advised to start putting contingency plans in place in case a new budget is not adopted in time.

“At the same time, we remain hopeful and confident that member states will conclude their negotiations,” Pollard told reporters.

She said that if the June 30 deadline is missed, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres can only spend money to safeguard UN assets and ensure the protection of the staff and the peacekeepers.

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said missions would be severely limited and unable to carry out such measures as protecting civilians, helping tackle COVID-19 and supporting political efforts and mediation.

The United States is the largest assessed contributor to the peacekeeping budget, responsible for about 28 percent, followed by China with 15.2 percent and Japan with 8.5 percent.