NEW YORK: Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad on Friday warned that UN peacekeeping operations are being directly undermined by a worsening liquidity crisis, echoing concerns raised by UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres. By the end of 2025, the UN recorded a staggering $1.57 billion in unpaid dues, a shortfall threatening programme delivery and peace missions globally.
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Speaking at the opening of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, Ambassador Iftikhar said the financial gap is affecting mandate delivery, civilian protection, deterrence against violence, and the safety of peacekeepers. “The UN peacekeeping remains an indispensable instrument for maintaining international peace and security, but is facing growing political, operational and financial pressures that require collective action,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s long-standing commitment, he noted the country hosts one of the oldest UN missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, and has contributed over 250,000 personnel across 48 missions worldwide. He also paid tribute to 182 Pakistani peacekeepers who lost their lives under the UN flag.
The ambassador cautioned that declining funding and shrinking missions could undermine readiness, rapid deployment, and specialized units, calling for peacekeeping reforms to make missions more agile, focused, and technologically equipped. He emphasized that protection of civilians, ceasefire monitoring, and deterrence against violations must remain core objectives.
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The UN’s financial crunch comes amid reductions in voluntary contributions, notably from the United States, and the launch of Trump’s Board of Peace, raising concerns about undermining UN authority. Guterres has warned that the organization could face a cash shortfall by July 2026, citing a “Kafkaesque” rule requiring unspent funds to be returned to member states even when unpaid. UN reform efforts under UN80 aim to improve efficiency, but member states’ timely payments remain critical to sustaining peace operations.