Trump blames bureaucracy and mismanagement for UN's woes
US President Donald Trump said in his first speech at the UN that bureaucracy and mismanagement are preventing the world body from living up to its potential. "Focus more on people, less on bureaucracy," he said, adding that the UN could become stronger if there's more cooperation. Trump has often criticized the US' disproportionately high contribution to the UN compared to other countries.
Trump was speaking at a meeting of around 128 countries pushing for reforming the UN. The meeting came after the countries signed a 10-point US-drafted declaration backing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' efforts "to initiate effective, meaningful reform." The declaration wasn't signed by Security Council veto powers Russia and China. Guterres agreed with Trump's point, saying the UN bureaucracy problem kept him up at night.
We commend SG @AntonioGuterres & his call for the UN to focus more on people & less on bureaucracy. #USAatUNGA #UNGA https://t.co/KVvCMznmcN pic.twitter.com/UQn6RrC9Xw
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2017
"We must ensure that no one and no member state shoulders a disproportionate share of the burden and that's militarily or financially," Trump said. The US is the UN's biggest funder. It provides 22% of the UN's $5.4 billion biennial core budget and 28.5% of the $7.3 billion peacekeeping budget. The 193-member General Assembly, who Trump will later address, agrees upon the contributions.
Trump discussed the Palestine issue and Iran with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. Trump said there's a "good chance" of a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine to which Netanyahu responded positively. Trump responded to questions regarding his plans on the Iran nuclear deal by saying: "You'll be seeing very soon."
Such an honor to have my good friend, Israel PM @Netanyahu, join us w/ his delegation in NYC this afternoon. #UNGA https://t.co/YEHWjdtQx8 pic.twitter.com/jwU4e8Yk8A
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2017
