🎧 Audio
📖 Script
The United Nations (UN) is facing a serious financial problem. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the organization is at risk of running out of money. This is because many member countries have not paid their dues. These dues are essential for the UN to function properly, as they fund various programs and initiatives around the world, including peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid.
Guterres is urging member states to pay what they owe as soon as possible. He emphasizes that without these payments, the UN might not be able to continue its work effectively. This financial issue is not new, but it has become more urgent. The UN has had to take measures to cut costs, such as reducing staff travel and delaying certain projects.
In addition to calling for immediate payments, Guterres is also asking for changes to the financial rules of the UN. He believes that the current system is outdated and needs to be reformed to prevent future financial crises. One suggestion is to introduce more flexible payment schedules or to create a reserve fund for emergencies.
The financial stability of the UN is crucial because it impacts global peace and security. The organization plays a key role in international cooperation, addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and conflicts. If the UN cannot operate effectively, it may lead to negative consequences for many countries, especially those that rely on its support.
The situation highlights the importance of international cooperation and responsibility. Member states must work together to ensure that the UN remains a strong and effective force for good in the world. Addressing these financial challenges is a step towards maintaining the organization’s ability to help those in need and to promote global stability.
📝 Vocabulary
- dues: money that is owed or expected as a requirement (日本語訳：会費、納付金)
例文: “Many countries have not paid their dues to the UN.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- pay dues
- membership dues
- annual dues
- initiative: a plan or strategy intended to resolve a problem or improve a situation (日本語訳：取り組み、イニシアチブ)
例文: “The UN has various initiatives to promote peace.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- launch an initiative
- new initiative
- global initiative
- urgent: requiring immediate attention or action (日本語訳：緊急の)
例文: “The financial issue at the UN has become urgent.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- urgent need
- urgent matter
- urgent request
- reform: to make changes in order to improve (日本語訳：改革する)
例文: “Guterres is asking for reforms to the UN’s financial rules.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reform system
- reform policy
- reform plan
- stability: the state of being steady and unchanging (日本語訳：安定)
例文: “The financial stability of the UN is crucial.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- financial stability
- political stability
- ensure stability
✏️ Grammar Point
Present Perfect Tense – “The financial issue is not new, but it has become more urgent.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
現在完了形は、過去から現在にかけての行動や経験について話す際に使われます。例えば、ビジネスでは「このプロジェクトはすでに完了しています」といった情報を伝えるときに使います。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Antonio Guterres has said that the UN is financially stable.
- MCQ: What is Guterres asking member states to do?
a) Attend more meetings
b) Pay their dues
c) Reduce their staff
d) Travel less - MCQ: What is one of the measures the UN has taken to cut costs?
a) Increasing staff salaries
b) Delaying projects
c) Expanding initiatives
d) Hiring more staff
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Pay their dues
- b) Delaying projects
📚 Reading Questions
- What financial problem is the UN currently facing?
- Why do you think Guterres wants to reform the UN’s financial rules?
- What does the word “stability” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The UN is facing a financial problem because many member countries have not paid their dues.
- Guterres likely wants to reform the financial rules to prevent future financial crises and ensure the UN can operate effectively.
- In the context of the script, “stability” means the state of being steady and unchanging, particularly in financial terms.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
国連は多くの加盟国が会費を未納のため、財政危機に直面しています。この問題は国際協力の重要性を浮き彫りにしています。加盟国が会費を納付しないと、平和維持活動や人道援助など、国連の重要な活動が影響を受けます。今後、国連は財政ルールの改革を進め、柔軟な支払いスケジュールや緊急時の予備基金の創設を検討する必要があります。国連の財政安定性は、特に支援を必要とする国々にとって重要です。国際社会が協力してこの問題を解決し、国連が引き続き世界の安定に貢献できるようにすることが求められます。
