The United Nations is at risk of imminent financial collapse due to member states not paying their fees, the body’s head has warned.
António Guterres stated the UN faced a financial crisis that was deepening, threatening programme delivery and mentioned that money could run out by July.
In a letter to ambassadors, Guterres insisted that all 193 member states must honor their mandatory payments or fundamentally overhaul the organization’s financial rules to avert collapse.
This alarming news comes after the UN's largest contributor, the United States, declined to contribute to its regular and peacekeeping budgets and withdrew from several agencies it deemed a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Guterres noted that while the UN has encountered financial problems in the past, the current predicament is categorically different. He emphasized that the integrity of the entire system relies on states meeting their obligations under the UN charter.
With a record amount of unpaid dues at 77% of the total owed, Guterres remarked, The bottom line is clear: either all member states honor their obligations to pay in full and on time – or member states must overhaul our financial rules to prevent an imminent financial collapse.
In light of the situation, he urged member states to act decisively to maintain the functionality of the UN and ensure the continuity of its vital services.
