Editorial丨Addressing the deficits in global governance

China, as the second-largest contributor to the United Nations' regular budget, accounts for about 20 percent of total assessed contributions, trailing only the United States.

中国是联合国常规预算的第二大缴款国，承担的经常预算分摊比例约占总额的20%，仅次于美国。

However, unlike the US, China has consistently paid its regular dues in full and on time, and with its recent payment it has paid its full annual dues of $641 million, earning public acknowledgment and praise from the UN.

然而，与美国不同的是，中国始终按时足额缴纳联合国会费。随着近期完成最新一笔缴款，中国已支付全年全部会费，共计6.41亿美元，并获得联合国方面公开认可和赞扬。

Saying the funds “come in handy”, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday thanked China for its latest payment. Speaking at a news briefing, Stephane Dujarric said that “having the full amount is extremely helpful to the ongoing liquidity crisis” the UN faces. He added that China's payment brought the number of fully paid-up member states to 133.

联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯的发言人周三表示，这笔资金“非常及时”。联合国发言人斯特凡·杜加里克在新闻发布会上感谢中国完成最新缴款，并表示：“收到全额资金对于缓解联合国当前面临的流动性危机极其有帮助。”他还指出，中国的缴款使按时足额缴纳会费的会员国数量达到133个。

The most notable exception is the US, which accounts for about 98 percent of unpaid contributions to the UN's main budget. The US administration has stated its intention to pay $725 million to the UN, but when asked about it, Dujarric could only say that “it is in the pipeline”.

最引人关注的例外是美国。美国约占联合国常规预算未缴款项的98%。美国政府此前表示计划向联合国支付7.25亿美元，但当被问及具体进展时，杜加里克只能回应称，这笔款项“正在办理过程中”。

As the organization's largest “debtor”, the US reportedly has outstanding arrears totaling over $4 billion for the regular budget, of which $1.8 billion is for peacekeeping operations. This chronic underpayment has directly constrained the UN's cash flow, forced delays in peacekeeping operations, and hindered the implementation of vital programs worldwide.

作为联合国最大的“债务国”，据报道，美国拖欠联合国常规预算的欠款总额超过40亿美元，其中约18亿美元涉及维和行动。长期不足额缴纳会费，已经直接影响联合国现金流，导致维和行动被迫延迟，并阻碍全球范围内重要项目的实施。

Washington's failure to honor its financial obligations not only undermines the UN, but also creates a persistent financial strain that other member states are left to partially offset. The situation led Guterres to warn that the UN is facing a “race to bankruptcy” unless its member states pay their dues in full and on time.

美国未履行其财政义务，不仅削弱了联合国的运行能力，也造成持续性的资金压力，使其他会员国不得不在一定程度上承担弥补责任。联合国秘书长古特雷斯曾警告称，如果会员国不能按时足额缴纳会费，联合国正面临一场“走向破产的赛跑”。

Because of severe financial strains facilitated by a broader US retreat from multilateralism and shifting donor priorities, the UN departments and other international organizations in Geneva are reportedly facing unprecedented funding cuts and staff member reductions, with over 3,000 jobs lost since 2025. Agencies such as UNICEF, the UN agency for children's welfare, are downsizing or relocating; while UNAIDS, dedicated to tackling HIV/AIDS, faces possible closure. Although Switzerland and local foundations have pledged financial support, Geneva's status as the “capital of multilateralism” is now being challenged.

由于美国更广泛地减少对多边主义的支持以及捐助重点发生变化，联合国日内瓦办事处及其他国际组织正面临前所未有的资金削减和人员裁撤。据报道，自2025年以来，相关机构已有超过3000个岗位被削减。负责儿童福利工作的联合国机构——联合国儿童基金会（UNICEF）正在缩减规模或调整办公地点；致力于应对艾滋病问题的联合国艾滋病规划署（UNAIDS）也面临可能关闭的风险。尽管瑞士政府和当地基金会已承诺提供资金支持，但日内瓦作为“多边主义之都”的地位正受到挑战。

What the US has done in recent years — deliberately withholding or delaying its assessed contributions to the UN — has undoubtedly weakened not only Geneva's long-held role as a hub for international cooperation, but also the collaborative spirit that has been central to addressing global challenges ranging from pandemics to climate change.

近年来，美国有意拖延或拒绝缴纳应承担的联合国会费，这一做法无疑削弱了日内瓦长期以来作为国际合作中心的作用，也削弱了国际社会应对全球性挑战的合作精神——这些挑战包括疫情防控和气候变化等。

All these developments expose deeper problems that have long plagued the UN and its affiliated agencies. The result has been a widening disconnect between rights and responsibilities, and a steady erosion of the UN's ability to operate with stability and predictability.

上述变化暴露出长期困扰联合国及其附属机构的更深层次问题。其结果是，权利与责任之间的脱节不断扩大，联合国保持稳定和可预期运行的能力也持续受到削弱。

China consistently supports UN reform and emphasizes that it should focus on improving efficiency and enhancing governance capabilities. On the one hand, the UN needs to strengthen budget management and implement comprehensive performance oversight. This involves eliminating redundant structures, inefficient processes and overlapping functions to optimize global resource allocation and reduce unnecessary expenditures.

中国始终支持联合国改革，并强调改革应着眼于提高效率、增强治理能力。一方面，联合国需要加强预算管理，实施全面的绩效监督。这包括减少重复机构、低效流程和职能重叠，以优化全球资源配置，降低不必要支出。

On the other hand, its reform should adhere to the principles of fairness and inclusivity, with governance resources and development benefits to be channeled toward key areas such as poverty reduction, livelihoods, public health and regional development.

另一方面，联合国改革应坚持公平和包容原则，将治理资源和发展成果更多投入到减贫、民生、公共卫生以及区域发展等关键领域。

The US’ shift away from multilateralism is a shortsighted approach that overlooks the interconnected nature of today’s global issues. Nations should abandon zero-sum thinking, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support structural reforms within the UN. Such steps are essential to invigorating the multilateral system and building a solid foundation for global peace, development and shared benefits.

美国偏离多边主义方向的做法是一种短视策略，忽视了当今全球问题相互关联的现实。各国应摒弃零和思维，坚持《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则，支持联合国进行结构性改革。这些努力对于激发多边体系活力、为全球和平、发展与共同受益奠定坚实基础，都具有重要意义。

 assessed contribution /əˈsest ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃn/ n.分摊会费；核定缴款

dues /duːz/ n.应缴费用；会费

acknowledgment /əkˈnɒlɪdʒmənt/ n.认可；承认；感谢

liquidity /lɪˈkwɪdəti/ n.流动性；资金周转能力

outstanding /aʊtˈstændɪŋ/ adj.未支付的；未解决的；拖欠的

arrears /əˈrɪrz/ n.欠款；拖欠款项

obligation /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃn/ n.义务；责任

multilateralism /ˌmʌltiˈlætərəlɪzəm/ n.多边主义