The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
In a letter to member states dated 28 January, Guterres said the organisation’s liquidity crisis was worsening and could begin to disrupt programmes within months.
“The crisis is deepening, threatening programme delivery and risking financial collapse. And the situation will deteriorate further in the near future,” he wrote.
The letter highlights the UN’s reliance on assessed contributions, particularly from major economies.
The United States, which accounts for 22% of the regular budget, has reduced voluntary funding to UN agencies and has not fully paid its mandatory contributions, according to UN officials. China follows with 20% of the core budget.
By the end of 2025, unpaid dues reached a record $1.57 billion, though Guterres did not specify which countries were behind the arrears. UN officials estimate the United States currently owes $2.19 billion for the regular budget, $1.88 billion for active peacekeeping missions, and $528 million for past operations.
Under current rules, the UN must return unspent contributions to member states, creating what Guterres called a “Kafkaesque cycle.” Even as states agreed to reduce the 2026 budget by around 7% to $3.45 billion, the Secretary-General warned the organisation could run out of funds by July.
Guterres urged member states to either meet their financial obligations in full and on time or fundamentally reform the UN’s budget rules to avoid collapse.
Founded in 1945, the United Nations has 193 member states and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, coordinating humanitarian aid, and fostering social and economic development.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Guterres’ letter.
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and ...
More than 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes in Lebanon, according to the United Nations, as the UN spokesman says the human...
President Donald Trump said the U.S. "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran", rei...
Residents in Pakistan say they are feeling "crushed" and have to put filling up the tank before putting food on the table. Diesel is set ...
The 4-person crew in the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis II space shuttle carried out a key thruster firing on Thursday, sending the ship ...
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian also warned that Israel is fabricating threats about Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed affecting the global energy market.
More than 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes in Lebanon, according to the United Nations, as the UN spokesman says the humanitarian situation is worsening. Israel recently announced it intends to annex part of Southern Lebanon.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran", reiterating vows to increase the ferocity of attacks on its infrastructure, as dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz
Residents in Pakistan say they are feeling "crushed" and have to put filling up the tank before putting food on the table. Diesel is set to rise by 55% and petrol 43% as the government hike prices for the second time in a month.
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.
There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.
Russian-flagged tanker carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil docked at Cuba's Matanzas oil terminal on Tuesday, shipping data confirmed, marking a vital and controversial delivery to an island paralysed by severe energy shortages and a suffocating U.S. blockade.
Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a race with China.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, killing one person, damaging some buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said.
The 2026 World Cup final is setting new records for sports ticketing costs, characterised by unprecedented price hikes and the debut of controversial sales models.
In a dramatic shake-up at the top of the U.S. Justice Department, President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post, a White House official confirmed on Thursday.
American President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to pull the United States out of NATO after European nations refused to join a U.S.-led naval mission to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
France has unveiled a delayed wave of renewable energy tenders to boost energy independence and strengthen domestic and European industry.
China is emerging as one of the more stable economies amid the latest global oil shock, thanks to years of planning, diversified energy sources and a steady shift towards renewable power.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment