The European Union welcomed the adoption of UN peacekeeping budgets for the 2026/27 financial period and a revised methodology for calculating credits to be returned to Member States, in a closing statement delivered on 30 June 2026 at the UN General Assembly Fifth Committee's Second Resumed Session. Speaking on behalf of the EU and its Member States, María Reyes Fernández, Head of Section – Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the UN, stressed that budget implementation depends on all Member States meeting their financial obligations in full, on time and without conditions, calling non-payment and late payment a violation of the UN Charter that undermines operational readiness.
The statement, delivered at the 80th Session of the General Assembly, noted that the Second Resumed Session was dedicated to ensuring peacekeeping operations have the resources needed to carry out their mandates. The EU expressed appreciation for the adoption of the resolution on a revised credits methodology, calling it a milestone in forging consensus and strengthening the Organization's resilience against recurring liquidity challenges. However, the EU cautioned that no credits methodology can substitute for the fundamental responsibility of paying assessed contributions.
The EU also highlighted the achievement of a substantive resolution on the Support Account after five years without Committee guidance, expressing hope that the same constructive approach would be applied to the UN Global Service Centre and Regional Service Centre. At the same time, the EU voiced disappointment that consensus could not be reached on cross-cutting policy guidance for peacekeeping operations and on a resolution addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, despite a first-ever system-wide review by the Joint Inspection Unit. The EU stressed that preventing and responding to such abuse is a shared responsibility that should unite Member States.
Looking ahead, the EU called for reforms to the Financial Regulations and Rules and those governing programme planning, urging the Committee to prioritise this work. The statement also criticised working methods that delay substantive engagement until the end of the process, arguing that long breakout sessions and negotiations under fatigue are not conducive to balanced decisions. The EU concluded by thanking the Chair and Bureau for their leadership throughout the 80th Session, which it said will be remembered for the revised estimates, efficiency measures, and the credits methodology change.