NEW YORK: The top United Nations official has said that the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund UN agencies after the White House announced that it is withdrawing support from more than 30 initiatives operated by the world body.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regretted President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from 31 UN-related agencies, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. The US also will depart dozens of other global organizations or initiatives not affiliated with the UN
“As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres, said in a statement.