Chicago – February 09, 2026
United Nations officials are pressing for specifics on when and how much the United States will pay toward its substantial overdue budget contributions, following a recent US pledge for an initial payment. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted ongoing communications between Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Ambassador Mike Waltz, with the budget controller awaiting exact details on timing and sums.
The US owes $2.19 billion to the regular UN budget as of early February 2026—over 95% of total unpaid regular dues—including $827 million for 2025 and $767 million for 2026, plus prior arrears. Additional debts stand at $2.4 billion for peacekeeping operations and $43.6 million for tribunals. This crisis follows Guterres’ January warning of the UN’s “imminent financial collapse” due to unpaid fees.
Waltz assured Reuters last week of a “significant down payment” on annual obligations within weeks, tied to observed UN reforms, though the final figure remains undecided. Payments are expected to address arrears primarily. As of late last week, only 55 nations had met their 2026 regular budget obligations by the deadline. The standoff underscores US scrutiny of UN spending under President Trump.
