US to Begin Payments on Overdue UN Dues Amid Financial Crisis Warnings

The United States will start making initial payments on its longstanding multi-billion-dollar debt to the United Nations, according to Michael Waltz, U.S. representative to the UN.

Waltz announced that the payments represent a significant prepayment of America's annual membership dues, with the exact amount to be finalized and announced in coming weeks. He emphasized the need for urgent reforms within the UN to ensure stability.

The announcement follows a warning from UN Secretary-General António Guterres two weeks prior, who stated that the organization's 193 member states face "imminent financial insolvency" without urgent funding. UN officials noted that over 95 percent of the UN's outstanding arrears are owed by the United States.

The UN General Assembly approved a 2026 regular budget of $3.45 billion in December, covering global operations, staff salaries, meetings, humanitarian and development programs. Past delays in U.S. payments have threatened UN activities, including humanitarian missions, peacekeeping initiatives, and administrative functions at headquarters in New York and offices worldwide.

Waltz's statement signals a step toward addressing the UN's financial crisis, which has strained its ability to carry out mandated programs.