Keeping the UN afloat: Trump admin plans $725 million payment as global body battles funding crisis — will it help?

The United States has informed Congress of its intention to contribute $725 million to the United Nations, with the aim of addressing the global body's financial challenges, according to Reuters. This comes amid a funding crisis that the UN faces due to unpaid dues from member states. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned of an imminent collapse due to these outstanding payments.

However, the payment is subject to the continuation of reforms within the UN, and as of now, no funds have been transferred. The proposed amount would cover less than 20% of the over $4 billion the US reportedly owes as of May. The US disputes this figure, stating its obligations are lower and that it has made some payments.

Eugene Chen, a former UN official, believes this payment could be instrumental in helping the organization pay salaries for a period, though it may not cover all expenses. If the US fails to make further payments, it could lose its voting rights in the UN General Assembly in January, under Article 19 of the UN Charter.

The US State Department emphasized that this payment is contingent on further reforms at the organization, and the administration has already achieved "historic reforms" with a nearly $1 billion reduction in the UN's budget. The UN, undergoing a reform program called "UN80," has already cut its 2026 budget by 9.2% and relocated over 2,000 jobs to lower-cost locations.

Despite the Trump administration's criticism of the UN, the proposed funding could help the organization avoid immediate spending cuts.