The UN General Assembly (UNGA) approved a budget for the UN Secretariat’s 2024 operations, following deliberations in the UNGA’s Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) that concluded on 22 December 2023. The UNGA also established an account to finance the Organization’s peacebuilding fund.
The regular budget for 2024 will be USD 3.59 billion – nearly USD 300 million more than the USD 3.3 billion figure unveiled by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in October 2023.
Having considered the report of the Fifth Committee on the ‘Proposed programme budget for 2024’ (A/78/662), the UNGA adopted the budget on 22 December by a recorded vote of 136 in favor, 2 against (Australia, Israel), and 22 abstaining. During the main part of the 78th session, the Fifth Committee met from 2 October to 22 December, convening 25 plenary meetings and numerous informal consultations.
In addition, the UNGA adopted almost USD 50 million in additional funding for decisions taken by the Human Rights Council and decided to establish the Peacebuilding Account – a dedicated multi-year special account to finance the Peacebuilding Fund. It also approved resources for 2024 to support “the deepening of its global communications work” in four of its five official languages – Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish – by establishing 20 general temporary assistance (GTA) positions that include editors, press officers, and assistants working in the four languages.
The Assembly also moved to fund construction projects at UN properties in Nairobi (Kenya), Geneva (Switzerland), and Santiago (Chile).
Besides the programme budget for 2024, other budget-related resolutions adopted by the UNGA include:
- Special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for 2024;
- Questions relating to the proposed programme budget for 2024;
- Proposed programme budget for 2024: Section 26, Palestine refugees;
- Unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for 2024; and
- Working Capital Fund for 2024.
Addressing the Assembly, UNGA President Dennis Francis thanked the Chair of the Fifth Committee, members of the Bureau, delegates, and the Committee Secretary for “a job well done.” [UN Meetings Coverage: UNGA Meeting of 22 December 2023] [UN Meetings Coverage: Fifth Committee’s Meeting of 22 December 2023] [UN News Story] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on UNGA’s Approval of USD 3.4 Billion Budget for 2023]