00:00UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says billions of dollars owed by the United States to the United Nations are non
00:07-negotiable.
00:08His remarks come amid reports that Washington has set conditions for releasing further funding as the UN faces a growing
00:16financial shortfall.
00:20The money we are talking about is referred to assessed contributions.
00:26Assessed contributions are an obligation of member states. They are non-negotiable.
00:33Obviously, we will do our best to pursue our reforms, UNAT, and to make sure that we make this organization
00:40as effective and as cost-effective and as able to deliver for the people we care for.
00:47But these are two separate things.
00:49According to reports, the US has proposed a series of reforms, including cost-cutting measures, changes to the pension system,
00:57and reductions in peacekeeping operations.
01:00The proposals also include efforts to limit China's influence within the organization.
01:06Guterres has previously warned the UN could face a financial crisis due to unpaid fees, most of it owned by
01:13the US.
01:13The UN said the US had paid about $160 million of the more than $4 billion it owes to the
01:20world body.
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