The United States has paid $725 million toward its outstanding contributions to the United Nations, significantly reducing the immediate risk that Washington could lose its voting rights at the UN General Assembly.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said Wednesday that the United States made the payment Tuesday toward the organization’s regular budget. Washington had also paid another $102 million for UN peacekeeping operations the previous Friday, according to Reuters.
Despite the latest payment, the United States still owes approximately $1.312 billion in regular-budget contributions, Haq said.
Voting rights at stake
Under Article 19 of the UN Charter, a member state can lose its vote in the General Assembly when its arrears reach or exceed the amount of contributions it was required to pay for the preceding two full years. The General Assembly can make an exception in certain circumstances.
The latest US payment means Washington will not face an immediate threat of losing its General Assembly vote over its outstanding dues.
The United States remains the largest contributor to the UN regular budget, but the administration of President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the organization and pushed for reductions in spending and reforms. The administration has also cut voluntary funding to several UN agencies.
China also pays hundreds of millions
China, the UN’s second-largest contributor to the regular budget, paid $641.4 million on September 1, according to official UN records.
The UN is meanwhile dealing with a broader liquidity crisis and pursuing structural and cost-cutting measures under the UN80 Initiative. The organization has warned that late and incomplete payments by member states continue to put pressure on its finances.
The United States’ latest payment therefore provides some immediate relief for the organization while reducing the possibility of a dispute over Washington’s voting rights at the General Assembly in the near term.
