UN Agrees To $6 Billion Peacekeeping Budget, Narrowly Averting Shutdown

United Nations member states agreed on Tuesday to a $6 billion budget to avert a shutdown of global peacekeeping missions.

The 193-member U.N. General Assembly budget committee agreed to the peacekeeping budget for the year through June 30, 2022. It will formally be adopted on Wednesday.

There are currently 12 peacekeeping operations led by the Department of Peace Operations, most of which are in Africa and the Middle East. These operations are crucial in the maintenance of international peace and security.

U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said if they missed their June 30 negotiation deadline, missions would be severely limited and unable to carry out such measures as protecting civilians, helping tackle COVID-19 and supporting political efforts and mediation. T

The United States is the largest contributor to the peacekeeping budget, responsible for about 28%. China follows with 15.2% and Japan at 8.5% of contributions.