The United States plans to make an initial payment soon toward the billions of dollars it owes the United Nations, a top U.S. diplomat said on Friday. This move comes amid warnings that the world body is facing a serious financial crunch after months of unpaid money from countries, especially the U.S.
The U.S. is the largest contributor to the U.N. and now owes a huge amount. As of early February, it owed the U.N. about $2.19 billion for the regular budget, which pays for everyday operations like staff salaries and meetings. It also owed around $2.4 billion for peacekeeping missions and tens of millions for tribunal costs. U.N. officials say Washington is responsible for more than 95 percent of the unpaid regular budget dues.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the organization could face “imminent financial collapse” if payments do not improve. The U.N.’s regular budget for 2026 is about $3.45 billion, but overdue payments have made it hard to meet costs and continue key programs.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz said in an interview that the initial payment will come within a matter of weeks. He described it as a significant down payment on U.S. dues but said the final total has not yet been decided. Waltz also stressed that the U.S. supports ongoing efforts to reform the U.N. budget and cut inefficiencies.
Last month, the U.N. General Assembly approved the 2026 budget after several weeks of negotiation. The money helps run offices around the world, support development work, and fund human rights and peace operations.
At the same time, Waltz and other U.S. officials have been pushing for changes in how the U.N. operates and spends money. They argue that the system needs to be more efficient and focused, particularly by reducing duplication among agencies.
The U.S. has a long history of falling behind on U.N. contributions, but arrears have grown significantly in recent years. According to reports, the U.S. did not contribute to the regular budget in 2025, leaving nearly $827 million unpaid for that year alone.
The upcoming payment marks a step toward addressing the backlog and easing pressure on the U.N.’s finances, which have been strained by unpaid dues from several member states.
