U.S. Participation in International Organizations

Overall, the United States provides more funds to international organizations than any other country. GAO provides information to Congress on the activities of these organizations and U.S. participation in them. The Department of State needs to strengthen its Bureau of International Affairs by acquiring adequate staff and providing for greater continuity of tenure. The executive branch needs to establish definitive policy objectives and priorities in support of U.S. participation in international organizations. There is a need for independent evaluations in the United Nations System so that representatives of the member governments are assured that their governments' funds are being used in an efficient, economical and effective manner as intended. The United States is not considered to be adequately participating in terms of employment in the U.N. This could be improved if U.S. recruiting efforts were strengthened and better funded. GAO has been or will be working on the following reports: a review of U.S. participation in the International Labor Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization; a study of the World Food Program; and a report on the employment of Americans in the U.N.