State Department notifies Congress of $725 million UN payment

Guterres warns of ‘imminent financial collapse’ as US debt exceeds $4 billion

The State Department on August 4 notified Congress of a $725 million transfer to the United Nations, the Guardian reported Thursday, a partial step toward addressing a funding shortfall the world body says has pushed it to the brink of insolvency.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the organization faces “imminent financial collapse,” according to the Guardian. The UN says the United States owes it more than $4 billion.

Officials Eugene Chen and Ronny Patz commented on the transfer, according to the Guardian’s reporting.

The August 4 notification to Congress marks a procedural step required before US funds can be transferred to the United Nations. The $725 million transfer represents a partial payment toward the larger amount the UN says it is owed.