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World / Americas

Antonio Guterres warns of imminent financial collapse of UN

Published: 31 Jan 2026 - 08:30 am | Last Updated: 31 Jan 2026 - 08:31 am
File photo

File photo

QNA

New York: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned today of the imminent financial collapse facing the international organization, urging member states to fulfill their financial obligations.

In an email circulated to member states, Guterres called on them to "pay their dues in full and without delay" in order to "avert imminent financial collapse." He expressed his regret, stating, "Decisions have been formally announced not to pay mandatory contributions that fund a large part of the approved regular budget."

He explained that "the current course is unsustainable. It exposes the organization to structural financial risk and imposes a stark choice: either member states accept a thorough review of our financial rules, or they accept the very real possibility of financial collapse."

Since Donald Trump's return to the White House in early 2025, the United States has reduced its funding to some UN agencies and has refused or delayed some mandatory payments.

This budget deficit regularly forces the international organization to freeze recruitment, delay payments or reduce its functions.