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The United States has made a partial payment of approximately $160 million toward its nearly $4 billion debt to the United Nations, according to a statement released by the UN on Thursday. President Donald Trump has also indicated that additional funds will be forthcoming to the financially troubled international organization.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the Trump administration’s payment last week was designated for the UN’s regular operating budget. According to UN records, the United States currently owes $2.196 billion to the regular budget, including $767 million for the current year alone. An additional $1.8 billion is owed to the separate UN peacekeeping operations budget.
The payment comes at a critical time for the United Nations. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned member nations late last month that the organization faces “imminent financial collapse” unless there is a significant reform of its financial rules or all 193 member states fulfill their financial obligations. This warning was widely interpreted as being primarily directed at the United States, which accounts for approximately 95% of the overdue payments to the UN’s regular budget.
Guterres has emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that cash reserves for the regular budget could be depleted by July, potentially causing severe disruptions to the organization’s global operations. The financial strain has already forced the UN to implement cost-cutting measures across various programs and initiatives.
The timing of this partial payment coincides with President Trump’s launch of the “Board of Peace,” a new initiative originally intended to oversee the Gaza ceasefire. However, many diplomatic observers view this board as potentially challenging the traditional role of the UN Security Council in global conflict prevention and resolution.
During Thursday’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Trump adopted a notably more positive tone regarding the United Nations than in previous statements. “We’re going to be working very closely with the UN,” the president stated, adding, “Someday, I won’t be here — the United Nations will be.”
Trump suggested that the Board of Peace would provide oversight to the United Nations, helping to strengthen the organization and ensure its proper functioning. “They need help, and they need help moneywise,” he said, without acknowledging that America’s failure to pay its dues represents a primary cause of the UN’s financial difficulties.
“We’re going to help them moneywise, and we’re going to make sure the United Nations is viable,” Trump continued. “And I think it’s going to eventually live up to its potential. That will be a big day.” However, the president did not provide specific details on when future payments might be made or the amounts involved.
The Trump administration has maintained a complicated relationship with the United Nations throughout its tenure. The president has withdrawn the U.S. from several UN bodies, including the World Health Organization and UNESCO, while reducing funding to numerous other UN programs and agencies.
Dujarric noted that Secretary-General Guterres has been in regular communication with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz “for quite some time” regarding the outstanding payments. The UN’s controller has also maintained contact with American officials concerning the arrears.
According to the United Nations, 55 countries had already paid their annual dues for 2026 by the February 8 deadline, highlighting the disparity between nations that meet their financial obligations promptly and those that do not.
The partial payment represents a modest step toward addressing the significant financial shortfall facing the United Nations, though much more substantial contributions will be needed to ensure the organization’s continued effective operation.
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8 Comments
Given the US’s dominant role in UN funding, this partial payment is a meaningful development. While more work remains, it’s good to see progress on reducing the outstanding debt, which has been a source of tension.
I agree, small steps in the right direction are important, even if the overall situation remains challenging. Transparency and accountability around UN finances will be key going forward.
The UN’s financial woes are concerning, but this partial payment from the US is a positive step. Hopefully, it signals a renewed commitment to supporting the UN’s important work, even if more progress is needed to fully address the debt.
As the largest financial contributor to the UN, the US has an outsized role and responsibility in ensuring its fiscal stability. This partial payment, while welcome, underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the UN’s funding model and member state obligations.
You make a fair point. The UN’s reliance on voluntary contributions from member states creates inherent vulnerabilities that should be addressed through reforms, if the organization is to fulfill its critical global role effectively.
The UN’s financial challenges are certainly not new, but the scale of the US debt is quite staggering. I wonder what specific factors have contributed to this growing liability over time and what reforms might help address the structural issues.
The UN’s financial troubles are certainly concerning, but I’m curious to learn more about the context and factors behind the US debt. Hopefully this payment is a step in the right direction towards greater fiscal responsibility across the board.
You raise a fair point. The UN’s budget and funding mechanisms seem quite complex, so it would be helpful to get a clearer picture of the nuances involved.