Minister Counselor for UN Management and Reform Stephen Lieberman today stressed that the United States Government takes its international obligations very seriously and the Obama Administration has made great effort to pay its bills on time and in full.
In his statements before the Fifth Committee, Mr. Lieberman reported that it is well known that the amount reflected by the Secretary-General as owed by the United States is distorted because of differences in U.S. and UN fiscal years.
“Perhaps it is less widely known that as the largest contributor to the United Nations, the United States contributed over $7.5 billion in 2010 in assessed and voluntary contributions across the United Nations system.” -Mr. Lieberman
He reported that since January 2011, the U.S. government has paid over $2 billion in peacekeeping operations and international tribunal assessments and it expect to pay its 2011 regular budget assessment in full in the next few months.
“To suggest that the United States is not meeting our financial obligations to the United Nations is both wrong and patently absurd.” -Mr. Lieberman
He reiterated that the United States remains committed to the United Nations and its vital role in the world to maintaining peace and security, providing development and humanitarian assistance and promoting human rights.
