The United Nations introduced that the USA has paid roughly $160m in direction of its practically $4bn in excellent dues.
The fee goes in direction of the UN’s common working funds, in line with spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
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However the shortfall comes because the administration of US President Donald Trump has brazenly questioned its dedication to the UN and has slashed cash earmarked for the worldwide physique.
Nonetheless, on Thursday, Trump appeared to endorse funding the UN in the course of the inaugural assembly of his Board of Peace in Washington, DC.
“We’re going to assist them money-wise, and we’re going to ensure the United Nations is viable,” Trump mentioned. “And I believe it’s going to ultimately reside as much as its potential. That shall be a giant day.”
The UN has indicated that the US owes about $2.196bn to its common funds, together with $767m for the present yr. One other $1.8bn is owed for the UN’s peacekeeping operations.
A monetary disaster
For years, the UN has confronted a monetary disaster, with a rising shortfall of contributions. Every of the organisation’s 193 member states is required to contribute, primarily based on its financial potential.
Poorer international locations could possibly be requested to contribute as little as 0.001 p.c of the UN’s common funds. Wealthier international locations might attain the utmost contribution quantity of twenty-two p.c.
However unpaid dues have already pressured the UN to slash its spending and cut back its companies.
In a stark warning final month, United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres cautioned that the worldwide physique faces an “imminent monetary collapse” except its monetary guidelines are overhauled or all 193 member nations pay their dues.
Guterres revealed that the UN’s common working funds could possibly be depleted as early as July, a state of affairs that will severely jeopardise its international operations.
The US is the most important donor to the UN, because the world’s largest economic system. However it at present owes billions in unpaid dues.
UN officials have stated that the US accounts for roughly 95 p.c of the arrears to the organisation’s common funds.
‘Empty phrases’
Since returning to the White Home for a second time period in January 2025, Trump has elevated considerations that US dues would possibly go unpaid.
The Republican chief has repeatedly criticised the UN as ineffective, even articulating that sentiment at September’s UN Normal Meeting.
“What’s the objective of the United Nations?” Trump requested the meeting. “All they appear to do is write a very strongly worded letter after which by no means observe that letter up. It’s empty phrases.”
All through his second time period to date, he has minimize overseas support spending and withdrawn from worldwide commitments. In January, as an example, his authorities pulled out of 31 UN programmes, together with its democracy fund and a physique that works on maternal and youngster well being.
However on Thursday, at his Board of Peace assembly, Trump appeared to take a hotter stance in direction of the UN, saying he deliberate to work “very carefully” with the organisation.
“Sometime, I gained’t be right here. The United Nations shall be,” he mentioned, seeming to endorse its longevity.
Trump additionally acknowledged the organisation’s monetary misery: “They need assistance, and so they need assistance money-wise.” He didn’t point out the US arrears.
Whereas the Board of Peace institution was meant to supervise the Gaza ceasefire, many see it as an try by Trump to rival the UN Safety Council’s position in stopping and ending conflicts around the globe.
Critics have described the board, which Trump chairs, as a “parallel system” that dangers undermining the UN’s authority and operations.
Trump himself appeared to place his Board of Peace as an oversight physique for the UN in Thursday’s remarks.
The Board of Peace, he mentioned, “goes to virtually be trying over the United Nations and ensuring it runs correctly”.
