Antonio Guteress, the current UN secretary and former Prime Minister of Portugal, is well known for his role as a UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has always been the type to focus on UN reform, climate action and batting the general erosion of international cooperation.
On January thirtieth twenty twenty six, the UN secretary warned that The United Nations is in eminent danger of a financial collapse, due to unpaid dues without naming nations. He also reiterated that the solution should be an overhaul to the financial rules to prevent such a collapse. Under one of the rules, member states contributions varied based on size of their economy.
Currently the United States contributes the highest rate at twenty two percent followed by China's twenty percent.
In my opinion, if this one financial rules was readjusted to a fixed rate based on a nation's financial potential giving them time to adjust under the concept of reaching a financial goal, maybe this can prevent a financial collapse but time is running short.
Guteress warned that the agency could run out of money by July and risk financial collapse with a one point five seven billion dollar deficit by year's end. Under the budget rule, which was partly designed to limit cash availability, if this rule was overhauled, it can account for only a few million dollars. Currently under the budget rule, member states could be credited up to three hundred million with the UN's budget is already set to shrink by fifteenth percent One of it's biggest contributors the United States remain among dozens, being in arrears.
The United Nations has one hundred and ninety members and was created to play a critical role in promoting and maintaining international peace, human rights, social and economic development. President Donald Trump has been a strong critic of The United Nations with statements like "they have great potential but hasn't fulfilled that", is turning his attention towards forming a different movement called The Board Of Peace which would focus on missions quite similar to the UN which in turn has raised concerns it would rival and undermine the UN authority.
President Donald Trump and President Of The Board, even though strongly dening those allegations still sees his board of peace's vision as going beyond Gaza in addressing global challenges. Initially created on Thursday January twenty second twenty twenty six and endorsed by the UN security council resolution 2803, it's current focus will remain on managing post war Gaza. Their are thirty five countries committed to being a part of the board Of Peace. These countries include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina and Indonesia with Russia still in consideration.
Sources: Steve Holland, January 22nd, 2026, Reuters, "Trump launches Board of Peace that some fear rivals UN" Emma Farge January 30th 2026, Reuters "Guterres warns of UN's 'imminent financial collapse'"
