Meeting U.S. Commitments to International Organizations:
In an age where the challenges of deadly conflict and mass atrocities, global warming, pandemic disease, and weapons proliferation transcend borders, the world needs to work cooperatively. Despite its flaws, the United Nations remains the only place where all countries of the world can come together to seek solutions to shared global problems. Regional organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the African Union (AU), also work collaboratively to try to prevent violent conflict and stabilize countries at risk. As a world leader, the United States has a responsibility to engage more fully with and support the UN and other international organizations dedicated to promoting peace and security.
Why is the UN a bargain for U.S. and global security?
According to the U.S.’s own Government Accountability Office, U.N. peacekeeping is eight times cheaper than fielding a comparative U.S. force to help stabilize and international crisis. The U.S. only pays a fraction of the cost of such peacekeeping missions and contributes no U.S. troops. Unfortunately, for many years the U.S. failed to pay its annual dues to the United Nations on time and in full, which undercut the U.N.’s ability to budget for critical diplomatic and peacekeeping activities. It also seriously damaged the reputation and influence of the US in the international community.
The Role of Congress:
U.S. contributions to international organizations are made primarily through two accounts in the annual State Department and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The Contributions for International Organizations (CIO) account represents all the funds that the U.S contributes to international organizations including the U.N, the World Food Programme, NATO, and 45 other important multilateral organizations. The Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) is the money that the U.S. contributes to U.N peacekeeping missions.
With the advent of the Obama Administration, the tide is beginning to turn on how the U.S engages with international partners. In 2009, the administration requested and Congress appropriated almost $1 billion dollars for the U.S to pay off all its uncontested arrears to the United Nations, a historic step in restoring U.S. credibility at the UN. Additionally, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved HR 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY10 and FY11, which directs the U.S. to end the practice of paying dues to the UN regular budget a year late, fully pay back outstanding debt recognized by the U.S., and meet future obligations to the UN on time and in full.
Lastly, the Obama Administration has made a number of symbolic gestures indicating a more cooperative stance with the international community. At the 2009 UN General Assembly meetings in New York, the United States took a seat on the Human Rights Council and President Obama chaired the Security Council session on non-proliferation and disarmament, the first U.S. President to ever do so.
