U.S. pledges new contributions to U.N. agencies in Geneva

The World Meteorological Organization confirmed a payment covering 2024 dues and a new funding pledge, while significant U.S. contributions remain unpaid.

The United States sent pledge letters to several U.N. organizations in Geneva, diplomats and a U.N. source told Reuters. The recipients include the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and CITES, which regulates international trade in wild fauna and flora. The U.S. State Department confirmed a payment to the U.N. but did not disclose its amount.

The WMO said it received 15.1 million Swiss francs, or about $18.18 million, toward U.S. arrears for 2024. Washington also pledged another 2.2 million francs, but its dues for 2025 and 2026 remain unpaid. CITES confirmed receiving a funding pledge on September 24 but did not give its value. The International Labour Organization said it had received no new pledge, although Reuters reported that the U.S. owes it more than 250 million francs.

The payments come as U.S. funding to U.N. bodies has been cut and the amount of Washington’s arrears is disputed. Under Article 19 of the U.N. Charter, a member state can lose its General Assembly vote if its arrears exceed contributions due for the previous two full years. Reuters noted that a $725 million payment to the U.N. regular budget this month amounts to less than 20% of the more than $4 billion the organization said in May that the United States owed. Washington disputes that assessment.