U.N. Says It’s in Danger of Financial Collapse Because of Members’ Unpaid Dues

The United Nations is facing a severe cash crisis due to record unpaid dues and rigid budget rules. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that unless collections improve, the organization will not be able to fully implement its 2026 budget by mid-year, potentially leading to a liquidity crisis by July. The crisis is partly attributed to the Trump administration's decision to cut voluntary funding to multiple UN programs and decline some required payments. The US has also formally withdrawn from several international bodies, including the World Health Organization, citing misalignment with American priorities. Outstanding dues reached $1.568 billion at the end of 2025, with collections covering only 76.7% of assessed contributions. This funding squeeze has forced the UN to tighten spending across several agencies.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the United Nations is at risk of "imminent financial collapse" due to member states failing to pay their assessed contributions. In a letter to ambassadors, Guterres stated that the UN could run out of money by July, threatening program delivery. He emphasized that all 193 member states must honor their payments or the organization's financial rules must be overhauled. The warning comes after the US, the UN's largest contributor, has refused to contribute to certain budgets and withdrawn from agencies. Guterres noted that unpaid fees reached a record amount in 2023, and that the UN is unable to return unspent money to members because it does not exist. He urged member states to fulfill their financial obligations to avoid collapse.