A deepening cash crunch at the United Nations has reignited debate over the future of multilateralism, with analysts warning that the crisis also reflects a more profound shift in how the United States views the world body.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week warned that the organisation was at risk of “imminent financial collapse” as unpaid contributions threatened programme delivery, with funds potentially running out by July.
In a rare letter addressed to all 193 member states, Guterres urged governments to honour their mandatory payments or consider overhauling the UN’s financial rules to avoid further disruption.
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Despite more than 150 member states having paid their dues for 2025, total arrears have climbed to US$1.56 billion – double the amount recorded in 2024.
UN officials said the US – the organisation’s largest contributor – owed about US$2.19 billion to the regular budget and had not paid an additional US$2.4 billion in peacekeeping contributions.
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Washington, which accounts for 22 per cent of the UN’s core budget, has also withdrawn from several UN agencies, describing them as a waste of taxpayer money.
