UNA-USA Statement on the 2021 Funding Agreement
CONTACT:
Sarah Hopkins
shopkins@unfoundation.org
On behalf of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a program of the United Nations Foundation, UNA-USA Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman today released the following statement on the 2021 funding agreement:
“Yesterday, Congress passed the final version of the federal budget for fiscal year 2021. Together with our sister organization, the Better World Campaign (BWC), the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) recognizes that the final FY’21 budget paves the way for the incoming administration to restore our leadership on the international stage through the resumption of funding for key UN agencies, such as WHO and UNFPA.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage communities around the world, we are reminded that global challenges require global solutions. While we are optimistic that the FY’21 budget includes specific language to ensure payment of our full assessed dues to the United Nations (UN) regular budget, the allocated supplemental resources to fund international response efforts to COVID-19 are simply not enough. In addition, UNA-USA and BWC remain concerned that the bill underfunds our financial obligations to UN peacekeeping. Under the FY’21 budget, the United States peacekeeping budget cap remains in place, therefore putting our country’s arrears to well over $1 billion.
“Now more than ever, we need leadership that realizes the importance of this moment, and works to advance the values that are enshrined in the UN charter. With a new United States Congress and an incoming presidential administration, UNA-USA will continue to urge elected officials to allocate additional humanitarian assistance aid to ensure that the United States leads the global fight against COVID-19. More importantly, we will continue to mobilize our 20,000+ UN advocates across the U.S. to support the vital work of the UN.”
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About the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA):
The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress. For more than 75 years, UNA-USA and its national network of 20,000 members and 200 chapters have promoted strong U.S. leadership at the UN through advocacy campaigns, youth engagement, outreach programs, and public events. Learn more.
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