New York, 17 September (H.S.): The United States administration has paid $725 million towards the United Nations’ regular budget, reducing its outstanding dues and averting an immediate risk of losing its voting rights in the UN General Assembly in 2027, according to the United Nations.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Wednesday that the United States had made the $725 million payment towards the regular budget. Earlier on Friday, the US had also paid $102 million towards UN peacekeeping operations.

Despite the latest payment, the United States still owes approximately $1.312 billion in assessed contributions to the UN regular budget. However, Haq said the payment means the US is not currently at risk of losing its voting rights in the General Assembly in 2027 under Article 19 of the UN Charter.

Under Article 19, a member state can lose its voting rights in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. The provision also allows the General Assembly to permit a member state to retain its voting rights if it determines that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the country’s control.

The United States is the largest contributor to the UN budget. However, the administration of President Donald Trump has questioned the organisation’s operations and spending and has reduced voluntary funding for several UN agencies.

US officials have indicated that future payments could be linked to progress on reforms within the United Nations.

According to the UN, China also made a substantial payment towards the regular budget, paying $641.4 million on September 1. China is the second-largest contributor to the UN budget after the United States.

The latest US payment reduces its outstanding financial obligations to the world body while allowing Washington to retain its voting rights in the General Assembly in 2027 under the current position.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar