UN says cash will run out by September as US and China lag on dues

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Bloomberg, the United Nations has enough funding to keep operating only through the end of August because major contributors including the U.S. and China have not fully paid what they owe, UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan said on July 1. Ramanathan said the UN would have no cash after August and would run out of money in September, adding that the organization is waiting for payments to ensure operations beyond September. The UN is still awaiting full payment of 2026 budget contributions from the U.S. and China, and may have to delay other payments to free up funds for the annual UN General Assembly’s high-level week if major donors do not increase funding. The U.S., which is supposed to cover 22% of the UN regular budget, has paid only a small portion under the Trump administration and still owes about USD 2 billion in unpaid dues including arrears. China has paid part of its dues but still owes about USD 430 million for the regular budget, Ramanathan said, adding that Beijing typically pays in installments and is expected to make additional payments in coming months, while the U.S. has also pledged to pay soon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned earlier this year that the UN would run out of cash before July, but Ramanathan said spending cuts and budget adjustments have extended funding through the end of summer.