Statement by Senior Advisor Ted Dintersmith on agenda item 145: Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of United Nations peacekeeping operations

Ted Dintersmith, Senior Advisor

New York, NY

October 9, 2012

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

At the outset, I would like to express my delegation's appreciation to the Deputy Controller, Mr. Chandramouli Ramanathan, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the scale of assessments applicable to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Mr. Chairman,

The United States is a staunch supporter of UN peacekeeping operations and continues to be the largest financial contributor by far to UN peacekeeping operations. My delegation is concerned that, based on the indicative rates contained in the report of the Secretary-General, the United States’ share of peacekeeping budgets is likely to increase beyond the existing level of over 27.1 percent. We strongly oppose any efforts that would unfairly burden the United States with additional assessments.

The system of discounts contained within the peacekeeping scale of assessments is defined by economic indicators, namely the three criteria for identifying least-developed countries used by the Economic and Social Council and by per capita gross national income. The exception to this rule is Level C, which is made up of five wealthy countries that meet every criteria approved by the General Assembly for Level B in its resolution 55/235 and reaffirmed in its resolution 64/249. My delegation stresses the importance of every Member State paying its fair share of the expenses of UN peacekeeping operation under the scale of assessments for 2013-2015.

To this end, Mr. Chairman, my delegation reaffirms its commitment to working closely with all colleagues on this important agenda item in order to reach an equitable conclusion expeditiously and by consensus.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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