Explainer: Who funds the UN, and who really holds the power?

By Al Jazeera English

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The United Nations relies on member states to fund its nearly $3.5bn regular budget, with the US and China the largest contributors at 22 and 20 percent respectively. Washington alone owes almost $4bn in unpaid dues, straining UN finances already hit by outdated refund rules and reliance on voluntary funding. Financial power, however, does not equal political power, as permanent Security Council members retain veto rights regardless of payment, while top contributors like Germany and Japan have none. Shortfalls have forced historic cuts and record borrowing, affecting aid delivery and peacekeeping reimbursements worldwide. Al Jazeera’s Um-e-Kulsoom Shariff reports. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Uni

Tags: China, Germany, India, Japan, Rwanda, UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UN arrears, UN cash reserves, UN emergency reserves, UN food rations, UN funding, UN humanitarian operations, UN member states, UN peacekeepers, UN regular budget, UN veto power, UN voluntary contributions, United Nations, United States