Guterres is seeking ways to improve efficiency and cut costs as the world body turns 80 this year amid a cash crisis, driven largely by US arrears.
"We ended 2024 with $US760 million in arrears, of which $US709 million is still outstanding from 2024. We have also not received $US877 million of 2025 dues and so thus, arrears now stand at $US1,586 million," Guterres told the 193-member UN General Assembly budget committee.
He proposed a core budget of $US3.238 billion for 2026, a reduction of 15 per cent compared with this year. That budget includes political, humanitarian, disarmament, economic, social affairs and communications work. Contributions to most UN agencies, funds and programs - such as the World Food Programme and children's group UNICEF - are voluntary.
"Liquidity remains fragile, and this challenge will persist regardless of the final budget approved by the General Assembly - given the unacceptable volume of arrears," Guterres said.
The United States is the top contributor to the UN core budget, paying the maximum 22 per cent according to assessments agreed upon by the General Assembly.Â
US President Donald Trump has described the UN as having "great potential" but said it is not fulfilling that. He wants to slash US funding.
Guterres launched a reform task force in March, known as UN80, which seeks to cut costs and improve efficiency.
UN peacekeeping has a separate budget. In October, senior UN officials said a quarter of peacekeepers in nine operations around the world would be cut due to a lack of money and as future funding from the United States remains uncertain.
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