US pays $725m to UN

The Trump administration paid $725 million to the United Nations, the organization said on Wednesday, reducing Washington's large debt and ensuring it keeps its vote at the UN General Assembly convening in New York next week.

Trump has criticized the global body for not living up to its potential and slashed funding to many UN agencies. When asked about the planned payment last month, a U.S. official said any payments will be contingent on continued reforms of the U.N.

"We received $725 million yesterday from the United States for the U.N. regular budget, and we also received $102 million from the US for peacekeeping on Friday," said U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq.

"The US still owes $1.312 billion to the regular budget," he said, adding that, "with these payments, the U.S. is no longer in jeopardy of falling under Article 19 for 2027."