UN prepares for possible shifts in US financial contributions
As the UN braces for possible funding upheavals, the future of global cooperation could hinge on decisions unfolding quietly behind closed doors in Washington.
The United Nations faces renewed financial uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews all US support for international organisations. Trump has already slashed voluntary funding across multiple UN agencies and withdrawn from bodies like the World Health Organization and the Human Rights Council.
A leaked White House memo even suggests that cuts to assessed contributions—mandatory payments that keep core UN operations running—are on the table, sparking fears of a major financial crisis. While a complete US withdrawal from the UN is seen as unlikely, experts warn that the US could cripple the organisation by indefinitely halting payments, creating a gaping hole in its budget.
In 2023, the US contributed around $13 billion to the UN, covering about a quarter of its budget. The potential for missed payments raises concerns not just about immediate financial collapse, but about the future of multilateralism itself, drawing parallels to the League of Nations’ demise in the early 20th century.
The situation is complicated by internal divisions within the Republican Party, with some favouring a transactional approach to UN reform while others push a hardline, anti-multilateralist agenda. With peacekeeping budget negotiations looming and no US ambassador to the UN yet appointed, uncertainty dominates.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has launched the UN80 initiative, aiming to streamline operations and reassure sceptical donors, but it remains unclear if these reforms will be enough to placate Washington.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
About author
DW Team
The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.