The UN Contribution War: The Game of Development and Responsibility
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The United Nations, an international organization with high hopes, has been mired in recent years. On the one hand, global challenges are becoming increasingly severe, and on the other hand, internal contradictions are intensifying, and the issue of membership fees has become the most acute contradiction in this drama.
At the 2025 United Nations Contribution Budget Conference, a war without gunpowder has once again begun, and developing and developed countries have engaged in a fierce confrontation over "who will pay".
1. The Dispute over Contributions: Voices of Developing Countries
"Unreasonable! It's not fair! When the news of the United Nations proposal to increase the proportion of contributions from developing countries came out, it immediately caused an uproar.
The representatives of the Group of 77 are indignant, and they are simply regarded as "wronged leaders"!
Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out even more bluntly that China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Dai Bing bluntly said that the relevant practice is neither reasonable nor fair, and at the same time, the United Nations deviates from the principle of capacity to pay and transfers the financial burden to developing countries is also unpopular.
The United Nations has not only deviated from the principle of "capacity to pay", but has also shifted the financial burden to developing countries.
It is true that in recent years, it is an indisputable fact that China and other developing countries have developed rapidly, but "development" does not mean "wealth".
Developing countries are still facing tremendous pressure in poverty alleviation, education, medical care, and so on, and they have to pay for the "mess" of developed countries, which is obviously not in line with the principle of international fairness and justice.
What is even more unacceptable is that some developed countries have not only failed to shoulder their due responsibilities, but have tried to manipulate the rules to put their own interests above the international community.
2. United States: Lack of responsibility and the shadow of hegemony
When it comes to "membership dues", United States can be described as "on the list".
As the largest contributor to the United Nations, United States not only failed to lead by example, but has been in arrears for many years, and as of 2021, the arrears have exceeded $1 billion, let alone 2024.
United States' behavior of "not paying back the money owed" has directly led to a serious financial crisis for the United Nations, and it is difficult to even guarantee basic facility maintenance and staff salaries.
So, does the deep-pocketed United States really "can't pay" this due? I'm afraid not. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that United States is playing political tricks and trying to assert his privilege and put pressure on the United Nations by refusing to pay his dues.
What is even more worrying is that United States does not seem to be satisfied with just being a "hands-off treasurer", and they also want to make the United Nations their own "hall of words", weaken the voice of developing countries, and then maintain their hegemonic status.
From the World Health Organization to the United Nations, the hat of the "king of arrears" United States is stable. Such a lack of international responsibility not only undermines the authority and credibility of the United Nations, but also seriously hinders global cooperation and development.
3. The road to reform: fair, reasonable and sustainable
In the face of the increasingly serious problem of contributions, the reform of the United Nations contribution system has become urgent. The direction of reform must adhere to the principles of fairness, reasonableness, and sustainability.
First of all, it is necessary to formulate a more scientific and rational assessment plan for contributions, taking into account the payment capacity and development level of each country. GDP should not simply be used as the sole criterion, let alone allow developing countries to bear an excessively high proportion of their contributions.
Second, it is necessary to improve the mechanism for the payment of membership dues and intensify supervision and restraint over the arrears of membership dues. Countries that refuse to fulfill their obligations should take appropriate measures, such as suspending their voting rights, in order to maintain the authority and credibility of the United Nations.
As a responsible major country, China has been actively participating in the affairs of the United Nations and has put forward practical reform plans. China calls on the United Nations to play a leading role in urging major countries that have not paid their fees to pay off their arrears.
At the same time, China also advocates increasing the proportion of UN staff from developing countries, enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries, and making the UN truly a fair, just and reasonable international organization.
4. Win-win cooperation: building a community with a shared future for mankind
Today, with the in-depth development of globalization, human society is facing unprecedented challenges, and no country is immune. As the most important platform for international cooperation, the role of the United Nations is inseparable from the joint participation and support of all countries.
In the face of the complex international situation, all countries should abandon the old thinking of zero-sum games, establish a new concept of win-win cooperation, shoulder their due international responsibilities, and uphold the authority and role of the United Nations. Only by working together can we overcome the difficulties and create a better future together.
Win-win cooperation: building a community with a shared future for mankind
The issue of United Nations contributions is, in the final analysis, part of the reform of the global governance system. In today's world, the trend of multipolarization and globalization is irreversible, emerging economies and developing countries are rising en masse, and the international balance of power is developing in a more balanced direction.
However, the international organizations and governance systems represented by the United Nations still have a strong "Western-centrist" color.
The attempt of some Western countries to continue to control the power of international rule-making and safeguard their own vested interests runs counter to the trend of world development and will inevitably meet with the common opposition of the international community.
China has always adhered to multilateralism and advocated the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China is well aware that in the face of global challenges, no country can be divorced from the world's problems.
Only by upholding the concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance can we promote the building of a more just and equitable international order and inject strong impetus into world peace and development.
The issue of United Nations contributions is not only a question of "money", but also a question of responsibility, fairness and justice. Developing countries are not trying to shirk their responsibilities, but they are striving for the rights and dignity they deserve.
Only cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit can be sustainable and can truly solve global problems and achieve common development.
Epilogue:
The dispute over the United Nations membership fee has sounded the alarm bell for the reform of the international order. In the face of changes in a century, what the world needs is solidarity and cooperation, not confrontation and division.
China will continue to hold high the banner of multilateralism, actively participate in UN affairs, safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries, promote the building of a more just and equitable international order, and contribute China's wisdom and strength to world peace and development.
"Only when the world is good, can China be good; When China is good, the world is better. This sentence shows China's relationship with the world and China's responsibility as a responsible major country.
On the road ahead, China will work hand in hand with other countries to create a better future for mankind.