The United Nations faces a deepening UN budget crisis as delayed payments from major donor states raise the risk of cash shortages, cuts and layoffs by late summer.
Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a possible financial collapse, according to Western media and UN statements.
The United States owes more than $4 billion to the UN. China has delayed about $445 million in payments after transferring part of its dues in spring 2026.
The US and China together fund about 42 percent of the UN’s core budget. Their delayed payments have increased pressure on the organisation’s regular operations and peacekeeping work.
UN officials have discussed budget cuts, programme closures and staff layoffs as the liquidity crisis worsens.
The funding gap also threatens humanitarian operations. UN agencies help coordinate refugee support, vaccination campaigns, epidemic response, food supplies and peacekeeping missions.
Several agencies have already faced choices over which regions and programmes to prioritise.
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The crisis comes as member states debate the future role of the UN in global security and humanitarian work.
Critics have accused the organisation of bureaucracy and slow responses, while supporters say its agencies still anchor international cooperation.
