UN chief says US payment to organization expected imminently

At a press briefing, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated that the United States is expected to deliver a sizable payment toward its outstanding UN budget obligations in the near term. The administration of President Donald Trump had earlier informed Congress of a plan to transfer $725 million, a sum representing less than 15 percent of the more than $5 billion the UN claims the US owes, though Washington argues the overall amount is considerably lower.

In May, the UN reported a $2.04 billion shortfall for the regular budget. Guterres has warned that unpaid dues threaten an imminent financial collapse, forcing the organization to implement deep cuts. The State Department’s August 4 letter confirmed the $725 million obligation, while a US official said any further payments would be tied to ongoing UN reforms. The US mission to the United Nations has not responded to requests for comment.