The United States has stated it will pay a portion of its billions in overdue dues to the United Nations within weeks, while emphasizing that the UN must continue its reform process.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz confirmed that the U.S. will make a significant prepayment toward its annual assessment in the coming weeks, though the final amount has not yet been determined. This announcement comes two weeks after UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of an "imminent financial collapse" due to unpaid contributions, a large portion of which are owed by the United States.

According to reports, the U.S. accounts for over 95% of outstanding regular budget dues, amounting to $2.19 billion as of early February. Additionally, the U.S. owes $2.4 billion for current and past peacekeeping operations and $44 million to international courts.

This financial crisis coincides with the Trump administration's broader withdrawal from multilateral engagements. The U.S. has significantly increased its arrears during this period, withholding mandatory payments and reducing voluntary funding to various UN agencies. The administration has also initiated withdrawals from 66 international organizations deemed not to serve U.S. interests.

However, on February 3, President Trump signed an expenditure bill allocating $3.1 billion for U.S. contributions to the UN and other international organizations. When asked if these funds would cover arrears or future payments, Ambassador Waltz indicated the payment would address outstanding debts while acknowledging some UN reforms.

Analysts suggest that the U.S. decision to pay is strategic. The approach to international organizations, such as the WTO, shows that the U.S. weighs the transactional costs and outcomes. Complete abandonment is unlikely if it contradicts core U.S. interests.

Ambassador Waltz expressed strong support for Guterres's "UN @ 80" initiative but stated that reform efforts are insufficient and should have started earlier. The U.S. is focused on helping the UN return to its core mission of maintaining peace and security.

Experts note that profound UN reforms, such as changes to contribution scales or financial structures, are unlikely to happen quickly. These would require formal review during the UN General Assembly, typically not before September. The current reform agenda focuses on improving efficiency, reviewing mandates, and optimizing structures across the UN system.

Proposals under the "UN @ 80" initiative, including relocating certain functions to lower-cost regions, are under review by the Secretary-General. If approved, they will be included in the proposed program budget for 2026.

Regarding the potential relocation of more agencies due to financial pressure, it is considered unlikely in the short term. Past moves, such as relocating UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA to Nairobi, were justified by lower operational costs in Africa. However, a deeper consideration is the UN's desire to avoid being perceived as a pawn in geopolitical rivalries among major powers.