The head of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday has urged top contributor, the United States to pay its fees in full after Washington made only a partial payment to the global body, amounting to less than 5% of the total amount owed.
The United States has paid about $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes to the United Nations, a UN spokesperson revealed.
The United Nations Secretary-General has warned the body faces imminent financial collapse due to unpaid fees.
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“Every member states has to pay its contribution in full and on time, and $160 million is obviously not in full,” Baerbock said.
U.S. President Donald Trump last week hosted the first meeting of his Board of Peace initiative that experts say could undermine the United Nations.
Asked whether the United Nations risks being sidelined, Baerbock said the global body endorsed the board only in the context of Gaza.
“And for everything else regarding peace and security, we do have an international institution and legitimate body. It’s called the United Nations,” she stated.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six main organs of the United Nations and the only body where all 193 member countries have equal representation. It serves as a global forum where nations come together to discuss and address major international issues affecting the world.
Established in 1945 after World War II, the General Assembly was created to promote peace, security, cooperation, and friendly relations among nations. Each member state has one vote, regardless of its size, wealth, or power, making it the most representative organ of the UN.
Reuters