United Nations faces severe financial crisis – warning letters sent to 193 member states

2026-01-31 - 06:09

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the organisation is at risk of a major financial collapse. He stated that this situation has arisen due to several member states failing to pay their mandatory contributions. The financial crisis is deepening and is having a significant impact on the UN’s ability to implement its programmes, Guterres emphasised. He highlighted that if the current situation persists, the organisation could face a funding shortfall by next July. In letters sent to all 193 member states, the Secretary-General urged them either to pay their outstanding mandatory contributions immediately or agree to amend the UN’s financial rules and procedures. Failure to do so, he warned, could put the entire functioning of the United Nations at serious risk.