United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning that the organisation could run out of money by July if member states fail to pay their contributions. He described the UN’s financial situation as critical, with hiring freezes and spending cuts already in effect.
Mounting Debt and Unpaid Contributions
Guterres said the UN’s chronic budget shortfalls stem from some countries not paying their mandatory contributions in full or on time. By the end of 2025, unpaid dues reached around $1.6 billion—more than double the amount from 2024—even though over 150 member states had met their obligations.
“The current trajectory is untenable,” Guterres wrote, warning that the UN faces structural financial risks and may be unable to fully implement the 2026 programme budget approved in December. Without immediate improvement in collections, the organisation’s cash reserves could be depleted by July.
Political Tensions Intensify the Crisis
The warning comes amid US funding cuts to several UN agencies, with the Trump administration rejecting or delaying some mandatory contributions. President Trump has repeatedly questioned the UN’s relevance and criticized its priorities, and his new “Board of Peace” initiative has been seen by critics as a potential rival to the UN.
Meanwhile, tensions between the United States, Russia, and China—permanent members of the Security Council with veto power—have left the council largely paralysed, compounding the organisation’s operational and financial challenges.
“Kafkaesque Cycle” of Financial Strain
Adding to the strain, the UN must reimburse member states for unspent funds even when it lacks the cash to do so. Guterres described this as a “Kafkaesque cycle,” saying the organisation is expected to return money that does not exist.
In his final annual address before stepping down in 2026, Guterres highlighted the global challenges facing the UN, citing geopolitical divides, violations of international law, and “wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid,” likely referring to reductions tied to the US “America First” policies. Without urgent action from member states, Guterres warned, the UN’s ability to operate effectively could soon be at serious risk.
