Assessing the UN’s Value and Performance

Is the United Nations Delivering Value?

Many countries that provide significant funding to the United Nations (UN), including the United States, are taking a closer look at their contributions. The US has even initiated a review (expected by late August 2025) of its involvement in international organizations like the UN.

This scrutiny raises important questions: Is the UN effectively using the resources it receives? Does it provide real value to its member states and the world?

The DOGE-UN Initiative: An Independent Look

The DOGE-UN initiative aims to help answer these questions. We are independently assessing the UN's actions and effectiveness, focusing initially on issues that Americans consider major international threats:

  • Terrorism affecting the US (49%)

  • Immigration into the US (49%)

  • Drug trafficking (44%)

  • Cyberattacks on the US (35%)

  • Climate change (33%)

  • Preventing another global pandemic (28%)

  • Preventing a global economic crisis (27%)

  • Protecting human rights globally (27%)

  • Preventing foreign disinformation (22%)

  • Securing critical supply chains (20%)

  • Upholding democracy globally (20%)

  • U.S.-China Relations (20%)

  • Iran nuclear deal (18%)

  • Russia's invasion of Ukraine (17%)

  • The Israel-Hamas war (14%)

(Source: Morning Consult Political Intelligence - % voters citing issue in top 5 foreign policy concerns)

DOGE-UN will examine UN actions related to these concerns to determine if they are efficient and effective.

Why Assessing the UN is Tricky

Evaluating the UN isn't simple. Unlike a business, it doesn't have profits or losses on a balance sheet. Its value often lies in intangible "goodwill" and its role in global cooperation. Public opinion is often divided, and criticism is common, especially when the UN seems ineffective in crises like those in Ukraine, Syria, or Sudan, despite significant budgets (estimated over $20 billion).

We need a clear way to define and measure the UN's positive contributions beyond just goodwill, showing concrete outcomes that align with member state goals.

Why Might the UN Be Worth Keeping?

  • Global Cooperation Hub: It's the main platform for countries to work together on peace, security, development, and human rights.

  • National Interest: A stable world benefits every nation. Participating in the UN can help countries ensure their own safety, strength, and prosperity. Key questions nations ask:

    • Does involvement make our country safer? Stronger? More prosperous?

How Can the UN Be Made More Effective?

If the UN is worth keeping, it needs better management and administration. Its value increases when it helps nations:

  1. Co-exist: Establishing basic rules for interaction.

  2. Cooperate: Working together deliberately for mutual benefit.

  3. Coordinate: Aligning efforts as activities overlap.

  4. Take Collective Action: Joining forces to tackle major global threats.

To assess if participation is worthwhile, member states can consider:

  • Does the UN effectively advance our core national interests?

  • Is it efficient and providing a good return on investment?

  • Does it enhance our nation's reputation and influence (soft power)?

  • What happens if we reduce involvement and other nations take the lead?

  • Can participation provide leverage on other critical international issues?

Our Recommendations for Improving the UN

Better stewardship involves practical steps in planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and technology:

  • Smarter Program Planning:

    • Clearly understand member states' goals for each program.

    • Leverage the UN's unique strengths.

    • Coordinate efforts across the entire UN system.

    • Use relevant external resources and methods.

    • Plan for the medium-term (10-20 years) with flexibility.

  • Results-Based Budgeting:

    • Focus budgets on achieving specific results.

    • Aim for efficiency (e.g., zero-real growth targets).

    • Actively find and eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.

    • Implement cost-saving measures.

  • Effective Monitoring:

    • Track project implementation in real-time.

    • Use clear metrics ("report cards").

    • Create transparent online tools to track funding.

    • Adopt best practices for operations.

  • Honest Evaluation:

    • Measure actual outcomes and impact, not just activities completed.

    • Analyze the cost-effectiveness of programs.

    • Clearly explain the non-financial value ("goodwill") generated.

    • Streamline processes based on findings.

    • Communicate results clearly to the public.

  • Modern Technology Integration:

    • Update the UN's administrative culture (think "sharing economy" efficiency).

    • Combine duplicated administrative functions.

    • Use IT for efficient communication, data management, and shared services.

    • Prevent bureaucratic silos that waste resources.

Join the Effort

DOGE-UN is committed to this assessment. We believe the UN, as a vital hub for global action, deserves effective management. We are searching for what works and how to make it better.

Please check back here for updates as our assessment evolves.