Benefits and allowances offered by the United Nations (UN) and the U.S. government are generally similar, and GAO found that each provided certain benefits or allowances with greater monetary value than the other. Similar UN and U.S. benefits include retirement plans and health insurance, while similar allowances include hardship and danger pay. Where comparable data were available, GAO found that...

This testimony discusses ways to improve the representation of American professionals at United Nations (UN) organizations. The U.S. Congress continues to be concerned about the underrepresentation of American professionals employed by some UN organizations and that insufficient progress has been made to improve U.S. representation. The equitable representation of Americans at UN organizations is...

Women and children refugees, who comprise 80 percent of the estimated 12 million refugees worldwide, are among the world's most vulnerable populations. They are subject to gender-based violence, including physical harm, rape, and unequal access to humanitarian assistance. GAO was asked to (1) assess efforts by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect refugees, especially with reg...

In recent years, the challenges of aging populations have become a topic of increasing concern to the developed nations. These challenges range from the fiscal imbalance in national pension systems caused by fewer workers having to provide benefits for greater numbers of retirees, to potential economic strains due to shortages of skilled workers. Part of the solution to these challenges could be...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed allegations of worker rights abuses that have persisted in the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) apparel industry, focusing on: (1) whether or not Caribbean Basin countries have made efforts to improve worker rights in the CBI apparel industry; (2) what efforts the private sector has made to address concerns about working conditions in CBI countries...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed selected aspects of the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation, intended to encourage investments by U.S. entities in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside the United States, focusing on the: (1) criteria used to accept proposed projects; (2) number and types of projects accepted; (3) status of the seven projects accepted in the firs...

Persuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on total U.S. contributions, exclusive of peacekeeping contributions, to international organizations and programs from fiscal years (FY) 1993 to 1995, focusing on: (1) which U.S. agencies expended these funds; and (2) how much each agency spent in those years.GAO noted that: (1) for FY 1993 to 1995, the United States contributed approxi...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed U.S. participation in the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Technical Cooperation Program (TCP), focusing on: (1) whether TCP projects fulfill the criteria that FAO has established for the program; (2) financial management of TCP; and (3) the role of FAO governing bodies and the United States in setting policy for TCP and fo...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), focusing on: (1) problems with implementing peacekeeping operations; and (2) the importance of peacekeeping mandates and a solid political framework for peace.GAO found that: (1) the Comprehensive Political Settlement, signed by four...

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the legal basis for the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, focusing on: (1) the U.S. foreign policy implications for invading the Latin American region; and (2) alleged unlawful acts committed by U.S. military personnel during the invasion.GAO found that: (1) the Department of State based its justification for U.S. military action in Panama on provision...