UN risks 'imminent financial collapse', secretary general warns
7 days ago
- #United Nations
- #Global Governance
- #Financial Crisis
- The United Nations is at risk of 'imminent financial collapse' due to unpaid fees by member states.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns the organization could run out of money by July.
- The US, the largest UN contributor, has refused to pay its regular and peacekeeping budgets, withdrawing from several agencies.
- Other member states are also in arrears or refusing to pay, leading to a record 77% of total dues unpaid in 2025.
- The UN is forced to return unspent money it never received, exacerbating the financial crisis.
- Cost-saving measures include turning off escalators and reducing heating at UN headquarters in Geneva.
- UN agencies face severe funding cuts, impacting humanitarian programs, human rights investigations, and maternal health clinics.
- The US has significantly reduced its contributions, with President Trump criticizing the UN and withdrawing from multiple UN agencies.
- Other countries like the UK and Germany have also announced reductions in foreign aid, further straining UN operations.
- Guterres calls for either full payment by member states or an overhaul of financial rules to prevent collapse.