China’s Funding of the UN Development System

Abstract

Though still modest in absolute numbers, China’s overall contributions to the United Nations Development System (UNDS) have risen rapidly over the last decade and even accelerated since 2013. This significant increase has mainly been driven by China’s decision to participate more actively in global governance as well as by its appreciation of the UN’s role in global development. As funding grows, China faces differing expectations from both developed and developing countries and finds itself in something like a dilemma.