Kathmandu, Nepal, February 1, 2026:—The United Nations is facing a serious financial crunch that could paralyze its operations, Secretary-General António Guterres has warned. In a letter to member states, Guterres urged immediate payment of outstanding contributions and implementation of financial reforms, cautioning that the organization could soon face a full-blown crisis.
At a briefing at UN headquarters, spokesperson Farhan Haq emphasized the urgency of the situation. “We do not have sufficient liquidity to sustain our operations. Member states must immediately settle their outstanding dues; otherwise, we will have no other options,” he said.
By the end of 2025, UN member states owed a total of $1.57 billion. Analysts point to ongoing global geopolitical tensions and previous budget cuts, including decisions under former U.S.
President Donald Trump, as key contributors to the crisis. Human rights experts have warned that such financial strain could weaken international law and human rights mechanisms.
Currently, annual contributions are based on each member state’s economic capacity, with the United States covering 22% and China 20%. Guterres cautioned that if the current trends continue, the UN’s cash reserves could be exhausted by July.
He also criticized the rule requiring unspent funds to be returned each year, arguing that it forces the organization into a financial vicious cycle when cash flow is low.
So far, only 36 out of 193 member states have submitted their full contributions for 2026, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the UN’s future operations.
