UN funding crisis escalates as payments from two states vanish
UN General Assembly session (Photo: Getty Images)
The UN is on the brink of financial collapse. The US and China are delaying contributions, threatening to halt the organization's work as early as August, reports The Wall Street Journal.
The world's largest donor countries have effectively ceased stable funding of the structure. The US and China account for about 42% of the organization's basic budget, and currently, both superpowers are deliberately delaying payments, the publication notes.
This jeopardizes all humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the current situation a race to bankruptcy.. According to his forecasts, the organization risks running out of funds by mid-August.
Why Washington blocked payments
The Trump administration already owes the organization more than $4 billion. The White House is linking further funding to the implementation of radical reforms.
Trump demands a significant reduction in staff, the elimination of inefficient spending, and a complete overhaul of budget policy.
US officials call UN spending excessive. Washington has already reduced its participation in several programs. In particular, the US has limited funding for the World Health Organization (WHO).
Beijing delays payments
China also holds significant sums. Beijing currently owes the organization 455 million dollars. However, China recently transferred 850 million dollars to the account. Beijing has officially stated its intention to fulfill its obligations.
However, funds arrive with long delays. This behaviour by the world's two largest economies is paralyzing the work of the international institution, the article notes.
What else is known about UN decisions
After the UN placed IDF soldiers, Russian units, and Hamas militants on the blacklist of those accused of sexual violence, Israel is threatening to sever ties with António Guterres' office.
"To put us and Hamas terrorists on the same list, that's unacceptable," said Israel's representative to the UN.
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is being sought for a warm place at the UN. This could grant him diplomatic immunity to protect himself from potential legal cases from the new prime minister, Magyar.
