In a strongly worded statement during the UN General Assembly meetings, Annalena Baerbock explicitly called on the United States to fulfill its international financial obligations and pay its full share of the UN budget. This appeal came at a time when the United Nations is facing unprecedented financial challenges that threaten its ability to carry out its core mission of maintaining international peace and security.
A huge funding gap
Baerbock explained that the United States, traditionally the largest contributor to the UN budget, has paid only a fraction of its dues. After Washington transferred a partial payment of approximately $160 million last week, Baerbock emphasized that this amount represents less than 5% of the total outstanding debt, which UN officials estimate at over $4 billion. She stressed a fundamental principle of international cooperation: "Every member state must pay its contribution in full and on time, and $160 million is certainly not the full amount.".
The risk of financial collapse and UN warnings
These statements reinforce previous warnings issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has repeatedly cautioned that the organization faces "imminent financial collapse." This critical situation stems primarily from member states, particularly the United States, failing to pay their dues to the UN's operating budget and peacekeeping budget. Experts indicate that this financial shortfall could leave the organization unable to pay staff salaries or force it to scale back its vital humanitarian operations in conflict zones around the world.
Political context: International legitimacy versus unilateral actions
In response to journalists' questions in Geneva about the potential marginalization of the UN's role in favor of other initiatives, Baerbock addressed the political dimension of the crisis. She pointed to the discrepancy between international legitimacy and unilateral actions, implicitly criticizing the US focus on the "Peace Council" established by former President Donald Trump to deal exclusively with the Gaza Strip. Baerbock emphasized the centrality of the UN's role, stating, "As for everything related to peace and security, we have an international institution and a legitimate body called the United Nations," clearly indicating that sustainable solutions to global crises must be pursued through internationally agreed-upon legal channels.
The importance of American commitment
This appeal is particularly significant given the United States' weight in the international system; Washington typically contributes about 22% of the UN's regular budget and an even larger share of its peacekeeping budget. Observers emphasize that the continued accumulation of arrears not only weakens the organization's operational efficiency but also sends negative signals about the future of multilateralism amidst the escalating crises facing the world today.
