UN chief urges timely member-state payments, outlines cash-conservation measures at staff town hall

The secretary-general told United Nations staff at a global town hall that the organization faces political and budgetary pressure and that leaders must "stay fixed on the fundamentals," urging member states and donors to pay assessed contributions on time.

He thanked staff for their work, described a tightened financial situation and said the Secretariat is implementing cash-conservation measures while continuing to appeal to donors and member states to settle their budget dues.

The remarks stressed operational consequences if assessed contributions are not paid on time. The secretary-general thanked Costa Rica for its regular payment and said a large share of member states were fully up to date on their obligations. He did not provide an exhaustive, line-by-line accounting of the regular budget in the town-hall remarks.

In a question-and-answer segment, the secretary-general reiterated the United Nations' preference for resolving trade disputes through constructive engagement and existing multilateral mechanisms after a journalist asked about a recent U.S. decision to impose tariffs on autos. He warned that new tariffs “can have very severe impacts on the global economy,” and urged member states to use diplomatic avenues and institutions to resolve disputes.

The town hall combined operational updates with an audience question period; staff raised topics that ranged from humanitarian operations to communications practices. The secretary-general also noted the need to honor and support staff delivering services under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions.

Looking ahead, the secretary-general said he will continue to press member states for timely payments and to mobilize donor support to sustain UN operations and humanitarian responses worldwide.