UN seeks clarity on when US will pay dues, and how much

The United Nations said on Monday it is waiting for details on when and how much the United States will pay toward its delayed budget dues, following a promise last week that Washington would make an initial payment within weeks.



"We've seen the ‌statements, and frankly, the secretary-general has been in touch for quite some time on this issue with Ambassador (Mike) Waltz," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a briefing.



"Our (budget) controller has been in touch with the U.S.; indications were given. We're waiting to see exactly when payments will be made and in what amounts," he added. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sounded the alarm on U.N. finances in a January 28 letter to member states and warned that the 193-country organization is at risk of "imminent financial collapse" due to unpaid fees.



The majority of the fees are owed by Washington, which under President Donald Trump has been retreating from multilateralism on numerous fronts and demanded that the U.N. reform and cut costs.