UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the organization is facing a severe financial crisis that risks leading it to collapse. In a letter to member states, he stressed that the current situation is far more serious than previous economic difficulties.
The main cause is related to the non-payment of contributions by some countries, which have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the UN budget. In particular, the United States is mentioned, which in recent months has delayed payments or reduced funds for certain international programs. The US administration has also announced its withdrawal from dozens of international organizations, including several structures affiliated with the UN.
According to official data, although more than 150 of the 193 member states have paid their dues, the UN ended 2025 with a deficit of about $1.6 billion, more than double the previous year. Guterres warns that the lack of liquidity could force the organization to freeze hiring, postpone payments and cut services.
He points out that if the situation does not improve, the UN's regular budget risks running out of funds as early as July this year. For this reason, Guterres has called on member states to pay their dues immediately, otherwise a deep review of the organization's financial system will be needed.
The approved budget for 2026 is $3.4 billion, about 7 percent lower than a year ago, while about 2,400 jobs have also been cut. Currently, the US remains the UN's largest contributor with about 22 percent of funding, followed by China with about 20 percent.
