Matthew Sharp
@msharp80.bsky.social
Former State Department nuclear expert, now just a regular nuclear expert.
Now is a particularly important moment for the Disarmament Advisory Board. Congratulations to Mr. Haggag, and good luck!
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Now is a particularly important moment for the Disarmament Advisory Board. Congratulations to Mr. Haggag, and good luck!
Our participation in the UN system makes us stronger, not weaker. As Secretary Rubio indicated, review of international organizations pursuant to Executive Order 14199 is ongoing; I hope future decisions will be more careful and beneficial than this one seems to have been.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Our participation in the UN system makes us stronger, not weaker. As Secretary Rubio indicated, review of international organizations pursuant to Executive Order 14199 is ongoing; I hope future decisions will be more careful and beneficial than this one seems to have been.
The U.S. announcement has little impact. The United States doesn’t sit on the CEB, and because it is funded through regular budget contributions, “withdrawing” won’t save any money. That’s good, because without the CEB to implement UN efficiencies and coordination, we’d need to invent it.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The U.S. announcement has little impact. The United States doesn’t sit on the CEB, and because it is funded through regular budget contributions, “withdrawing” won’t save any money. That’s good, because without the CEB to implement UN efficiencies and coordination, we’d need to invent it.
It’s a bit ironic that, while trying to improve the efficiency of U.S. contributions, the Department has apparently zeroed in on one that they rely on in figuring out how much we spend at the UN.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
It’s a bit ironic that, while trying to improve the efficiency of U.S. contributions, the Department has apparently zeroed in on one that they rely on in figuring out how much we spend at the UN.
The Department’s most recent annual report to Congress on U.S. contributions to international organizations says: “The amounts of total funding will be obtained from publicly available documents produced by the UN System Chief Executives Board or the recipient entities.”
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The Department’s most recent annual report to Congress on U.S. contributions to international organizations says: “The amounts of total funding will be obtained from publicly available documents produced by the UN System Chief Executives Board or the recipient entities.”
With those funds, CEB staff also compile UN financial data and make them publicly available. Who needs this kind of reporting? Well, the State Department, for one.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
With those funds, CEB staff also compile UN financial data and make them publicly available. Who needs this kind of reporting? Well, the State Department, for one.
How much does this coordination cost? Costs are shared across UN agencies and other sources, but the UN’s 2025 budget estimates a $1.3 million cost to the UN’s regular budget. At 22%, the U.S. share of this is a bit less than $300,000.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
How much does this coordination cost? Costs are shared across UN agencies and other sources, but the UN’s 2025 budget estimates a $1.3 million cost to the UN’s regular budget. At 22%, the U.S. share of this is a bit less than $300,000.
The UN System Chief Executives Board gathers about 30 UN organization heads to promote UN coherence and coordination. Last year, the CEB identified, developed, and initiated a portfolio of UN-wide efficiency measures, while also enhancing policy coordination on issues like transnational crime.
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The UN System Chief Executives Board gathers about 30 UN organization heads to promote UN coherence and coordination. Last year, the CEB identified, developed, and initiated a portfolio of UN-wide efficiency measures, while also enhancing policy coordination on issues like transnational crime.