UN chief warns of a potential race to bankruptcy as dues fall behind in full and on time, underscoring financial strain on UN operations and staff, with Geneva-based agencies losing more than 3,000 jobs since 2025 due to funding cuts.

Geneva’s UN system faces ongoing funding challenges and downsizing, with UNICEF and UNAIDS among those affected, though Switzerland and philanthropic pledges offer only limited relief and Geneva’s multilateral role is under pressure.

Since 2025, UN departments and related organizations in Geneva have suffered substantial budget cuts and staff reductions, with UNICEF and UNAIDS either downsizing or facing closure in some cases.

Beijing critiques the US pivot away from multilateralism as shortsighted, urging all nations to reject zero-sum views, uphold the UN Charter, and pursue reforms to strengthen the global multilateral system.

The commentary argues that abandoning multilateralism undermines collective security and development, calling for adherence to the UN Charter and structural reforms to revitalize cooperation.

China stands as the UN’s second-largest regular budget contributor, accounting for about 20% of total assessed contributions, and has recently paid its full annual dues of $641 million on time, earning praise from the UN.

China’s timely payment of its regular dues, including a recent $641 million installment, reinforces its role as a reliable funder and supports UN liquidity.

China is the United Nations’ second-largest regular budget contributor, comprising roughly one-fifth of all assessed contributions.

The United States remains the UN’s largest debtor, with unpaid contributions exceeding $4 billion for the regular budget and around $1.8 billion for peacekeeping, creating liquidity pressures and delaying operations.

US arrears to the UN, totaling over $4 billion for the regular budget and about $1.8 billion for peacekeeping, contribute to cash-flow problems and hinder program delivery.

China advocates UN reform focused on efficiency and governance, eliminating redundant structures and overlap, improving budgeting, and directing resources toward poverty reduction, health, livelihoods, and regional development, while ensuring fairness and inclusivity.

China pushes for UN reform centered on efficiency, governance improvements, reduced redundancy, and fair, inclusive budgeting that channels funds to core development priorities.