The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the organization faces imminent financial collapse unless reforms are made to its financing rules or all member states pay their dues, with a significant focus on the United States.
Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning regarding the financial stability of the United Nations, emphasizing that the organization stands on the brink of financial collapse. He highlighted that unless there is a restructuring of the financial rules or a concerted effort from all 193 member states to fulfill their financial obligations, the UN could face dire consequences. This message was particularly directed at the United States, which currently owes a substantial sum to the organization.
According to UN officials, the U.S. is responsible for a debt of $2.196 billion for the regular operational budget, with $767 million of that amount due for the current fiscal year. Additionally, the United States owes $1.8 billion towards a separate budget intended for UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The failure to address these outstanding contributions raises concerns not only about the UN's budget but also about the efficacy of its global missions and humanitarian efforts.
The U.S. Mission to the United Nations has confirmed that U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz has indicated that the Trump administration plans to make a significant initial payment towards these debts within a few weeks, although the exact amount has yet to be determined. This development is crucial for the UN, as indicated by spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who urged the need for timely payments from all member states to avoid the crippling of UN operations, which could ultimately affect global peace and security.
