Country: United States
Committee: United Nations Security Council
Delegate: Hari Sanil
Delegation: Troy High School
Topic: Abuse by Peacekeepers
On behalf of President Donald J. Trump and the American people, the delegation of the United States of America bids warm wishes to all members of the United Nations Security Council.
Reports of abuse by members of the United Nations peacekeeping forces are of extreme concern to the United States. The U.S. is the largest financial contributor to peacekeeping, having committed over $1.9 billion dollars for peacekeeping operations in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The United States government seeks to ensure that funds appropriated for peacekeeping purposes are spent effectively. To prevent future cases of abuse and bring justice to past offenses, the Security Council should increase oversight and accountability of the United Nations peacekeepers.
Regarding oversight, the Security Council must enact major reforms to peacekeeping operations. Reducing deployments and cutting expenses are a priority for the United States. In the next fiscal year, we will not contribute to more than 25 percent of the total peacekeeping budget, and this is non-negotiable.
To provide accountability, the United Nations should stamp authority over individuals who serve under our flag. Cases of abuse by peacekeepers should be brought to international courts to deliver proper justice. The United Nations should also hold member states accountable for the actions of the peacekeepers they provide.
On a final note, the United States of America will make clear to the members of the council that the United Nations has disastrously failed on numerous occasions to protect the citizens of the world. The United Nations Security Council must assert that responsibility and amend the wrongs of the past.
The American delegation will bring a comprehensive and ambitious reform package to the floor, and we hope for broad support from our fellow member states. Together, we can make peacekeeping great again.
- Hari Sanil