Financial collapse threatens the United Nations: Guterres warns the world
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning to the international community, asserting that the UN faces the risk of "imminent financial collapse," a situation that could be the most serious in the organization's history. This warning comes as several influential countries have failed to pay their dues, jeopardizing the future of international cooperation.
An unprecedented crisis that surpasses previous challenges
In an urgent message circulated to member states, Guterres explained that the United Nations, which had successfully overcome severe financial crises in the past, now faces a "fundamentally different" reality. He noted that the political decisions made by some countries to withhold their mandatory contributions are no longer a mere routine delay, but have become an existential threat to the very core of the organization's work and its ability to continue operating.
This crisis is particularly significant given the pivotal role the United Nations plays in maintaining international peace and security. The financial shortfall not only means the suspension of staff salaries, but also threatens to halt peacekeeping operations in conflict zones and suspend humanitarian aid to millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide, potentially exacerbating global chaos and spreading regional instability.
The impact of US policies and Trump's return
Much of the current crisis is linked to geopolitical shifts in Washington. Since Donald Trump's return to the White House in early 2015, the United States has pursued an escalating course, reducing funding to UN agencies and delaying mandatory payments, in line with its "America First" policy. These steps coincided with Trump's launch of a new entity called the "Peace Council" on January 22, which observers believe could become a rival organization, undermining the United Nations, particularly on sensitive issues such as the situation in Gaza.
Shocking figures and a vicious cycle
In numerical terms, the report revealed that the organization's overall deficit reached $1.6 billion last year, a figure that represents more than double the deficit recorded in 2024. Guterres described the situation as a "vicious cycle," where the organization is being asked to return funds that do not actually exist, forcing it to freeze recruitment and reduce vital tasks.
The United Nations budget relies primarily on contributions from member states, calculated based on each country's economic capacity (gross national product). The United States contributes the largest share (22%), followed by China (approximately 20%). Any failure by major powers to meet these contributions would cause a financial crisis within the organization.
An uncertain future for 2026
As Guterres' term draws to a close, the outlook for 2026 appears bleak, with the Secretary-General warning that the regular budget could run out completely by next July. Faced with this reality, Guterres urged member states to address the situation and pay their dues immediately to avert the worst-case scenario, or to accept a comprehensive and thorough review of the organization's financial rules, at a time when the world is witnessing devastating geopolitical divisions and flagrant violations of international law.
