President Trump Criticizes UN, Secretary General Guterres Has Made Many Reforms

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres accompanied by Stéphane Dujarric (wearing glasses) (Source: UN Photo/Manuel El happened)

JAKARTA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has carried out many institutional reforms, his spokesman said, as United States President Donald Trump harshly criticized the agency.

President Trump on Tuesday criticized the United Nations for "not running well", although he said the United Nations had potential.

"PBB has great potential and based on this potential we will continue to support it, but they must act decisively," President Trump told reporters.

"To be honest, the UN is not running well and they are not doing their job," President Trump continued.

"Many of the conflicts we are working on should be resolved, or at least we should get help to solve them. We never seem to get help. That should be the main goal of the United Nations," said President Trump.

In response, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary General Guterres "has worked tirelessly to carry out many reforms to increase efficiency and innovation."

"US support for the United Nations has saved many lives and advanced global security," Dujarric said.

"The Secretary-General hopes to continue his productive relationship with President Trump and the US Government to strengthen the relationship in today's fluctuating world," he continued.

President Trump said he did not intend to take money from the country's 193-member world body, although he complained Washington had to pay disproportionately.

Washington is the largest contributor to the United Nations - followed by China - which accounts for 22 percent of the UN's core budget and 27 percent of the peacekeeping budget.

The United Nations says the United States currently owes a total of US$2.8 billion, of which US$1.5 billion is for routine budgets. This payment is not voluntary.