The UN is on the brink of financial collapse: Washington has paid less than 5% of its arrears, and the main hole in the budget is still due to the U.S.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock criticized the United States for paying only part of its UN dues and urged Washington to fully cover arrears of more than $4 billion. She said the roughly $160 million transferred is less than 5% of what is owed and is “clearly not the full amount.”

The partial payment, confirmed by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, was directed to the UN’s regular operating budget. The UN says the United States still owes about $2.196 billion to the regular budget (including $767 million for the current year) and another $1.8 billion for peacekeeping operations. UN officials say the United States accounts for about 95% of overdue payments to the regular budget.

The organization’s financial strain is worsening. In a January 28 letter, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned all 193 member states of a risk of “imminent financial collapse” and said regular-budget cash could run out by July unless dues are paid or financial rules are changed. Reuters reported that the Trump administration did not make regular-budget payments in 2025.

Baerbock’s comments came as President Donald Trump launched a new “Board of Peace” initiative on February 19, which some observers view as a potential alternative to the UN Security Council. Baerbock stressed that a legitimate international institution for peace and security already exists: the United Nations.