UN chief says US has 'legal obligation' to fund agencies after Trump withdrawal

4 months ago

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres states the U.S. has a 'legal obligation' to fund UN agencies despite Trump's withdrawal order.
The U.S. is withdrawing from 31 UN-related agencies, including the UN Population Fund and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The UN emphasizes that assessed contributions to its budget are mandatory under the UN Charter, and the U.S. has not paid its dues for the past year.
Trump's executive order suspends U.S. support for 66 international organizations, many of which focus on climate, labor, and migration.
The withdrawal has influenced other Western countries to reconsider their humanitarian funding, shifting focus toward military spending.
UN officials were surprised by the announcement, learning about it through news reports and social media, with no formal communication from the Trump administration.
The U.S. is required to pay 22% of the UN's regular budget and 25% of peacekeeping operations, but it has not met these obligations recently.
Simon Stiell, UNFCCC executive secretary, warns that the U.S. withdrawal will harm its economy and environment, but leaves the door open for future reentry.

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