Days after vote on Jerusalem, US says it negotiated $285m cut in UN budget

UNITED NATIONS — The US government says it has negotiated a significant cut in the United Nations budget.

The US Mission to the United Nations said on Sunday that the UN’s 2018-2019 budget would be slashed by over $285 million. The mission said reductions would also be made to the UN’s management and support functions.

The announcement did not make clear the entire amount of the budget or specify what effect the cut would have on the US contribution.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that the “inefficiency and overspending” of the organization is well-known, and she would not let “the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of.”

She also said that while the mission was pleased with the results of budget negotiations, it would continue to “look at ways to increase the UN’s efficiency, while protecting our interests.”

Last week, as the UN General Assembly voted 128-9 to reject President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Haley warned there could be consequences for the UN. “When we make generous contributions to the UN, we also have a legitimate expectation that our good will is recognized and respected. When a nation is singled out for attack in this organization, that nation is disrespected. What’s more, that nation is asked to pay for the “privilege’ of being disrespected,” Haley said in a speech before the vote.

“In the case of the United States, we are asked to pay more than anyone else for that dubious privilege. Unlike in some UN member countries, the United States government is answerable to its people. As such, we have an obligation to acknowledge when our political and financial capital is being poorly spent. We have an obligation to demand more for our investment. And if our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our resources in more productive ways.”