Guterres sounds alarm over United Nations funding crisis

Due to the failure of its once largest donor, the United States, to make payments, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of an “imminent financial collapse” of the UN.

Guterres said the organisation’s financial situation is rapidly deteriorating and that, if no solution is found, funds for the regular budget could be exhausted as early as July. This was contained in a letter from the UN chief to the 193 member states, which was made available to dpa in New York on Friday.

He urged all member states to either meet their financial obligations on time or support reforms to the UN’s financing regulations.

The United States alone currently owes the United Nations several billion dollars in unpaid contributions.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the organisation in the past.