The United States' reported $1.5 billion backlog in UN membership dues has raised alarms about the organization's ability to address global crises, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed during a press briefing on December 23, 2025. The arrears, accumulated over multiple fiscal years, threaten to disrupt humanitarian aid delivery and peacekeeping missions across Asia and other regions.
"Timely contributions are vital for maintaining stability in conflict zones and responding to climate-related disasters," Dujarric told China Media Group journalist Xu Dezhi. He emphasized that delayed payments disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including those in Southeast Asia and the Pacific currently facing severe food insecurity.
While the UN has implemented temporary cost-cutting measures, analysts warn the funding gap could undermine COVID-19 recovery programs and maritime security initiatives in the South China Sea. The Chinese mainland and other member states have renewed calls for structural reforms to ensure equitable financial responsibility among all 193 member nations.
Business leaders note that the dues dispute comes at a critical juncture for Asia's economic landscape, with multinational corporations increasingly relying on UN-facilitated trade frameworks. Academics stress that sustained underfunding may weaken the organization's capacity to mediate cross-strait tensions and other regional diplomatic challenges.
