U.S. risks losing UNGA voting rights amid dues arrears, withdrawal moves

The United States may lose its voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) if it continues to fall behind on its financial obligations, a UN spokesperson warned on Thursday, amid Washington's broader retreat from UN departments and other multilateral organizations.

UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the United States did not pay its contributions to the UN in 2025. Responding to questions about the potential consequences, Dujarric noted that the UN Charter clearly outlines penalties for prolonged non-payment of dues.

Under Article 19 of the UN Charter, a member state that is in arrears in its financial contributions loses its voting rights in the General Assembly if the amount owed equals or exceeds two years' worth of contributions. The General Assembly may nevertheless allow the member to vote if it determines that the failure to pay resulted from circumstances beyond its control.

The warning comes as the White House announced on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump had signed a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. to withdraw from 66 international organizations deemed "no longer aligned with U.S. interests." The memorandum orders all federal departments and agencies to cease participation in and funding for 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN agencies.

Since Trump returned to the White House last year, the United States has already announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the UN Human Rights Council, and has halted funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Media reports describe Washington's approach to UN funding as increasingly "selective," providing financial support only to programs and agencies that align with the administration's policy agenda.

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret over the U.S. decision to withdraw from several UN bodies. He stressed that, under the UN Charter, assessed contributions to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget approved by the General Assembly are legally binding for all member states, including the United States.

He also emphasized that UN agencies will continue to carry out the mandates entrusted to them by member states, adding that the organization remains committed to delivering services to those who depend on its work and to fulfilling its global missions with determination.

The U.S. withdrawal from UN agencies, international organizations, conventions and treaties has come under criticism from European countries, particularly regarding climate-related bodies such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

European leaders have reiterated the importance of global climate treaties and institutions, describing them as essential platforms for advancing international climate cooperation and limiting global temperature rise.

EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the U.S. decision "regrettable" and "unfortunate," while reaffirming the European Union's support for international climate research and its commitment to climate action, competitiveness and economic resilience.

Kathalijne Buitenweg, a Dutch Green Party lawmaker, described Trump's decision to withdraw from UNFCCC, as "reckless" and "deeply harmful." She warned that, as heatwaves, wildfires and floods intensify, turning away from science and cooperation is a political choice that carries real human and economic costs.