Palestinian efforts to join U.N. agencies beyond its cultural arm are “not beneficial for anybody” and could lead to cuts in funding sure to affect millions of people, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon warned.

“I believe this is not beneficial for Palestine and not beneficial for anybody,” he said, noting that U.N. agencies need both financial and political support.

“This will have implications for all the agencies of the United Nations,” Ban said. The UNESCO admission means Palestinians could automatically gain membership in the U.N. Industrial Development Organization, which aims to lower poverty and help the environment, and the World Intellectual Property Organization, he said.

Ban said he was also concerned about the possible impact of lower funding for the U.N. trade organization, UNCTAD, if Palestinians gain membership there too.

“When an organization is not properly functioning because of a lack of resources, you have to think about the millions and millions of people who are being impacted and affected,” he said.

Ban said he was “asking and urging member states” to make up for the shortfall in funding for UNESCO and other agencies.

One top Palestinian leader shot back at Ban, suggesting the U.N chief should lean on U.S. lawmakers.

“I think it would be easier for Mr. Ban Ki-Moon to ask the Congress to change their laws,” Saeb Erekat said. “I don’t think Palestine’s admittance to any of these agencies will bring harm.”