The United Nations risks ‘imminent financial collapse’, secretary-general Antonio Guterres warns
Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 31-01-2026
Guterres’ warning comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration has, in recent months, reduced its funding to some UN agencies and has rejected or delayed some mandatory contributions.
Antonio Guterres, the head of the United Nations, urged nations to pay their dues on Friday, warning that the organisation is in danger of going bankrupt and may run out of money by July.
According to Guterres, the UN faces chronic budget problems because some member states do not pay their mandatory contributions in full, while others do not pay on time, forcing it into hiring freezes and cutbacks.
“Either all member states honour their obligations to pay in full and on time—or member states must fundamentally overhaul our financial rules to prevent an imminent financial collapse,” Secretary-General Guterres wrote in a letter.
The UN chief’s warning also comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration has, in recent months, reduced its funding to some UN agencies and has rejected or delayed some mandatory contributions.
According to the UN, around $1.6 billion was recorded in unpaid contributions at the end of last year 2025, more than twice as much as in 2024, even though more than 150 member states had paid their dues.
“The current trajectory is untenable. It leaves the organisation exposed to structural financial risk,” Guterres wrote.
The UN is also facing a related problem: it must reimburse member states for unspent funds, Farhan Haq, one of Guterres’ spokespeople, said during a press briefing.
