The United Nations (UN) system comprises a range of interconnected entities, such as the United Nations, specialized agencies, peacekeeping operations, and funds and programs. UN member states and past and current UN secretaries-general have repeatedly attempted to reform different parts of the organization. These efforts tend to be cyclical, with member states considering reform proposals every 5 to 10 years. Primary areas of focus have included (1) UN inefficiencies and lack of accountability; (2) duplication and redundancy in UN mandates and activities; and (3) mismanagement of UN resources. The United States led in the creation of the United Nations in 1945 and has historically supported the organization, including UN reform efforts. Both Congress and the executive branch play key (and sometimes overlapping) roles in shaping U.S. approaches to UN reform. Over the decades, Congress has, at times, tied U.S. funding to progress on specific UN reforms and/or withheld funding from certain UN activities or entities with which it did not agree. Some U.S. Administrations have fully supported U.S. participation in and funding of the United Nations, while others have sought to limit U.S. engagement. Most recently, the second Trump Administration has expressed support for UN reform while at the same time withdrawn the United States from more than 30 UN entities and delayed or halted payments to some UN bodies, including the UN regular budget and peacekeeping missions. The most recent UN system-wide reform effort, referred to as the “UN80 Initiative” (UN80), was proposed by UN Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres in March 2025. It aims broadly to improve the effectiveness of the UN Secretariat, review the status of UN mandates, and realign certain UN programs and structures. Some UN80-related reforms have been adopted, while others are still being considered. UN80 is being pursued against the backdrop of shifting U.S. policy toward the United Nations and UN budget shortfalls due mainly to the accumulation of arrears (outstanding dues) by some UN members, particularly the United States. Looking ahead, Congress might consider whether to continue to tie U.S. contributions to certain UN reforms. It might also monitor the status and pace of UN80 reform implementation and to what extent, if any, the United States should support various reforms.
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