The United Nations is at risk of imminent financial collapse due to member states not paying their fees, warns Secretary-General António Guterres. He indicated that the UN's financial crisis is deepening and threatening program delivery, with the organization potentially running out of money by July 2026.
In a letter to all 193 member states, Guterres urged them to honor their mandatory payments or to reform the UN's financial regulations to prevent the crisis. The call comes as the UN's largest contributor, the United States, has refused to pay into its regular and peacekeeping budgets, cutting funding to several UN agencies deemed inefficient.
Guterres highlighted a record amount of unpaid dues, declaring that 77% of required payments were made in 2025, leaving the rest outstanding. The complexity of the situation is compounded by a rule obliging the UN to return unspent funds to member states, putting further strain on its finances.
Signs warning of the financial crisis are evident at the UN headquarters in Geneva, where escalators are frequently turned off and heating is lowered in efforts to save money.
In his letter, Guterres emphasized that adherence to payment obligations is crucial for the integrity of the UN finance system. He stated: The bottom line is clear: either all member states honor their obligations to pay in full and on time, or fundamental financial overhauls must take place to avoid an imminent collapse.
The financial difficulties impede the UN's ability to respond to humanitarian crises effectively. Reports indicate that other nations, including the UK and Germany, have also cut foreign aid, exacerbating the financial situation.
As the UN navigates these challenges, its ability to document human rights violations and support humanitarian efforts in critical regions like Afghanistan and Sudan hangs in the balance, underscoring the urgency of the current crisis.
