Mike Waltz: Washington discusses UN reform with Secretary-General candidates

The United States is pressing UN Secretary-General candidates to implement reforms that make the organisation more efficient, accountable, and focused on its core mission of international peace and security, Ambassador Mike Waltz said.

In testimony at a congressional field hearing, Waltz highlighted U.S.-led achievements, including a historic 15% cut to the UN’s regular budget, reductions in peacekeeping troop levels, and reforms to UN staff compensation and pensions.

He noted that many UN missions have persisted for decades without achieving their goals, and that waste, duplication, and excessive staff costs must be addressed.

Reforms are also targeting peacekeeping reimbursements and operational inefficiencies, while overlapping humanitarian and development missions are being streamlined to reduce redundancy.

Waltz emphasised that U.S. support will continue only if the UN demonstrates progress on efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. He said discussions with Secretary-General candidates are already underway to ensure the next UN leadership aligns with these reform priorities.

“This is a critical moment with senior leadership transitions approaching,” he said, stressing Washington’s intent to maintain the UN in the United States while making it leaner and more results-driven.

By Aghakazim Guliyev