The UN on Wednesday revealed it is facing a cash crisis exacerbated by delayed payments from member states and further strained by the nationalist policies of US President Donald Trump.
Launching an efficiency initiative coinciding with the world body’s 80th anniversary, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said financial resources have been shrinking for some time.
“For at least the past seven years, the United Nations has faced a liquidity crisis because not all member states pay in full, and many also do not pay on time,” he said.
In the wake of the US decision to halt nearly all foreign humanitarian aid – a substantial portion of which had previously financed UN programmes and agencies – there are growing concerns about the potential implications for global aid efforts.
Fears are also mounting that Mr Trump may further reduce the US financial contribution to the UN, echoing similar cuts made during his first term in office. These developments add layers of complexity to an already challenging landscape for international aid and diplomatic relations.
As of now, the UN said only 75 of the 193 member states have settled their dues in full for the regular budget of 2025. The UN's budget is in arrears by more than $2.8 billion – more than half of which ($1.5 billion) is owed by the US.
“These are times of intense uncertainty and unpredictability. And yet certain truths have never been more clear: The United Nations has never been more needed,” Mr Guterres said. “Budgets at the United Nations are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They are a matter of life and death for millions around the world.”
He disputed suggestions that the UN efficiency drive parallels Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency organisation, better known as Doge.
This has “nothing to do with that kind of initiative". "We are talking about completely different processes, methodologies and objectives. This is a continuation and an intensification of work that we have always been doing,” he told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
How to help
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
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