The United Nations is grappling with a severe funding crisis that has put its human rights programs at risk, according to a recent report from Human Rights Watch. This crisis stems primarily from delinquent payments and late dues from key contributors such as the United States and China, which together account for nearly half of the UN’s assessed contributions. This shortfall has led to significant job cuts and budget reductions impacting the organization’s core missions.
The report highlights how the UN’s financial difficulties are deepening despite efforts to curtail the crisis. In June, the UN sought to alleviate this burden by temporarily halting a rule that mandated refunds to member states for unpaid contributions. However, this measure has not been sufficient to resolve the liquidity crisis the organization faces. Detailed documentation attached to the report underscores the extent of the UN’s financial woes, particularly stressing the obligation of assessed contributions that form the cornerstone of funding for regular and peacekeeping activities.
The United States, amid significant criticism of the UN’s efficacy, remains a notable debtor. In early 2026, it paid $160 million towards its debt, in response to warnings of an impending financial collapse by the UN Secretary-General. However, this payment barely scratches the surface of the nearly $4 billion owed. This reluctance aligns with President Donald Trump’s continued criticism, describing the UN as ineffective and dismissing its climate warnings.
Similarly, China has contributed less timely, despite an ostensible commitment to supporting the organization. While China has met its financial obligations, the delays have raised concerns about its intentions to exert influence over UN policies.
Unfortunately, these two nations are not alone in their tardiness. As of July 2026, only 120 of the 193 UN member states had paid their dues fully, with 65 of these payments arriving more than a month late. This widespread delay has resulted in significant budget cuts across various UN missions, notably halving the number of international human rights missions from 11,000 in 2024 to 5,000 in 2025, as noted by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
In response to the deficit, HRW suggests that the UN consider imposing measures to compel compliance from member states, including restricting leadership roles and canceling appointments within the organization. These steps are seen as necessary to hold delinquent nations accountable and to safeguard crucial human rights initiatives.