Could the U.S. Lose Its UN Vote Due to Arrears?

 Could the U.S. Lose Its UN Vote? A Deep Dive into the UN Budget

• Better World Campaign 

  unfoundation.org

  From:info_bwc@unfoundation.org

  
  

  To:Mark M Giese

  Wed, Jun 24 2026 at 10:30 AM

  Last week, the United States announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). The funding builds on recent investments in OCHA, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, but remains a fraction of the roughly $40 billion once provided annually through USAID. This comes as the effects of the U.S. retrenchment are being felt during an Ebola outbreak that experts warn could rival the crisis of a decade ago. With Congress currently weighing U.S. funding for the UN, we're diving into some of the UN Charter's lesser-known rules that quietly shape the organization's finances. What happens when countries stop paying their dues? Why does the UN have to send money back to Member States even when it's operating on the thinnest of margins? And get to know the Fifth Committee — the powerful UN body behind many of the most important budget decisions. Plus, catch up on more of this month's stories below. PERSPECTIVE FROM THE FIELD Landmines Now Contaminate 30% of Ukraine Even when wars end, their deadliest legacies remain buried underground. Until landmines are removed, recovery remains on hold. We spoke with Ukraine's UN Mine Action Service chief Paul Heslop about the daunting task facing the country and how Compass, an innovation team at the UN Office for Project Services, is harnessing satellite imagery and geospatial data to help deminers uncover hidden dangers more quickly and more safely. Mine Action Meets Innovation > UN, EXPLAINED Could the U.S. Lose its Vote at the UN? At the UN, unpaid bills don't just delay lifesaving aid and essential peace and security work — they can also cost countries their vote. As U.S. arrears climb past $2 billion and concerns mount over the organization's finances, we unpack Article 19 of the UN Charter, the provision that can suspend a Member State's voting rights in the General Assembly. Understanding the Impact of Arrears > CRISIS IN AFRICA Lessons from the 2014 Ebola Response Drawing on her experience leading a U.S.-backed preparedness initiative during the 2014 Ebola crisis, the new head of UNA-USA Faith Akovi Cooper explains how American leadership, UN coordination and regional partnerships helped contain the virus and why cutting preparedness now could leave the world vulnerable when the next threat inevitably arrives. Reflections on the Power of Preparedness > BEHIND SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS The Pen May Be Mightier than the Veto Before the Security Council votes on wars, sanctions and peacekeeping missions, someone has to get the conversation started. Join us as we explore the UN's practice of penholdership and meet the countries that set the terms of debate and enjoy diplomacy's ultimate edge: first draft privilege. How Penholders Shape Outcomes > The Better World Campaign is fostering a strong, effective relationship between the U.S. and the United Nations.   UN Foundation 1750 Pennsylvania NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 United States