UN Secretary-General Contender Backs Reform After Trump Demands
Summary
Olara Otunnu, a contender to become the next U.N. secretary-general, says the organization should streamline its operations and focus on peace and security, social development, and human rights. He also called for stronger financial and administrative reforms as the U.N. faces large unpaid contributions and conflicts including Ukraine, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Key Facts
- Otunnu is Uganda’s former permanent representative to the United Nations and served as a U.N. under-secretary-general from 1997 to 2005.
- Otunnu said the U.N. should return to its core priorities: peace and security, social development, and human rights.
- The article reports that unpaid contributions stood at $1.46 billion for the U.N. regular budget and $4.1 billion for peacekeeping at the end of September.
- The U.N. General Assembly voted in June to change a budget rule that provided refunds to member states even if they had not paid their contributions.
- The U.N.80 reform program has cut posts, relocated staff, and consolidated administrative functions; Otunnu said further cuts to bureaucracy and senior management were needed.
- Otunnu said President Donald Trump’s personal approach to diplomacy was not new, noting that major powers have long taken initiatives to address conflicts.
- The article says six contenders remained to replace Secretary-General António Guterres, whose successor is expected to take office on January 1.
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