UN changes budget rule to cope with financial crisis

UNITED NATIONS, July 01 (AFP): The UN General Assembly on Tuesday made a new rule to bar member states from demanding return of unspent funds before paying their contributions to the financially troubled organization.

"Since very early in my mandate, I have called for this change, and I am grateful to Member States for taking this important step," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, calling the change critical for "immediate operational continuity." "This important change will greatly benefit my successor who will no longer be hamstrung by being forced to return funds that were, all too often, never even received in the first place."