UN briefing warns member-state nonpayment could complicate 2026 operations, says spending authority still unresolved
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Summary
UN officials told reporters that without an approved regular budget and timely member-state payments, the organization could face constrained spending authority for 2026; the spokesman said salaries and operations are covered through year-end but emphasized the difficulty of managing cash when payments are late or missing.
Unidentified Speaker 1 addressed reporters’ questions about the UN regular budget and member-state payments, saying the organization does not have 2026 spending authority until a budget is adopted and that late or missing payments make cash management "extremely, extremely challenging."
When asked whether the United States had paid any regular budget assessments, the spokesperson said he was not aware of any payment to the regular budget and would have to check on peacekeeping contributions. On whether the UN would still be able to pay salaries, the spokesman said for the remainder of the year the organization can cover payrolls but emphasized that the beginning of next year depends on adoption of a budget and receipt of member-state payments.
The briefing noted the Secretary-General has raised budget reform, savings and funding with U.S. contacts, including Ambassador Waltz, and described those contacts as professional and constructive. The spokesman said the Secretariat is working with the Fifth Committee and member states to answer questions and seek consensus but cautioned that UN budgetary consensus is "never easy." No new funding commitments or specific contingency measures were announced at the briefing.
Reporters continued to press for details; the spokesman repeatedly underscored the constraints that unpaid assessments impose on an organization that cannot borrow or print money and said the Secretary-General has instructed managers to avoid spending beyond available cash.