Washington, USA – President Donald Trump has directed the United States to withdraw from 66 United Nations and international organizations, including major bodies addressing climate change, peace, democracy, and human rights.
In a presidential memorandum released Wednesday, Trump said the move follows a review of international organizations, conventions, and treaties that he determined are “contrary to the interests of the United States.” The directive orders all executive agencies to immediately begin the withdrawal process and to cease U.S. funding where legally permitted.
The White House listed 35 non-UN organizations targeted, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It also includes 31 UN entities, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Democracy Fund, and the UN Population Fund.
Many of the affected UN offices work on protecting children and women in conflict zones, promoting democracy, and addressing global health. The administration said these withdrawals will end taxpayer funding for organizations that it claims advance “globalist agendas over U.S. priorities” and pursue policies that conflict with American sovereignty and economic interests.
Legal experts note that while presidents have wide authority over treaties and international agreements, such large-scale withdrawals could face legal challenges in courts.
Critics have condemned the move. Rachel Cleetus, senior policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, called it “a new low,” accusing the administration of prioritizing ideology over science and global cooperation.
Trump’s administration has previously withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and cut funding to multilateral organizations it opposes, often citing taxpayer costs and policy conflicts.
The memorandum directs the Secretary of State to provide guidance to agencies and implement the withdrawals “as soon as possible,” while further reviews of other international agreements remain ongoing.
Organizations from Which the United States Shall Withdraw
a) Non-United Nations Organizations:
- 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact;
- Colombo Plan Council;
- Commission for Environmental Cooperation;
- Education Cannot Wait;
- European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats;
- Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories;
- Freedom Online Coalition;
- Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund;
- Global Counterterrorism Forum;
- Global Forum on Cyber Expertise;
- Global Forum on Migration and Development;
- Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research;
- Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development;
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
- Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;
- International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property;
- International Cotton Advisory Committee;
- International Development Law Organization;
- International Energy Forum;
- International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies;
- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance;
- International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law;
- International Lead and Zinc Study Group;
- International Renewable Energy Agency;
- International Solar Alliance;
- International Tropical Timber Organization;
- International Union for Conservation of Nature;
- Pan American Institute of Geography and History;
- Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation;
- Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia;
- Regional Cooperation Council;
- Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century;
- Science and Technology Center in Ukraine;
- Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme; and
- Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
(b) United Nations (UN) Organizations
- Department of Economic and Social Affairs;
- UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — Economic Commission for Africa;
- ECOSOC — Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;
- ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific;
- ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia;
- International Law Commission;
- International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals;
- International Trade Centre;
- Office of the Special Adviser on Africa;
- Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict;
- Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict;
- Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children;
- Peacebuilding Commission;
- Peacebuilding Fund;
- Permanent Forum on People of African Descent;
- UN Alliance of Civilizations;
- UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries;
- UN Conference on Trade and Development;
- UN Democracy Fund;
- UN Energy;
- UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women;
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;
- UN Human Settlements Programme;
- UN Institute for Training and Research;
- UN Oceans;
- UN Population Fund;
- UN Register of Conventional Arms;
- UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination;
- UN System Staff College;
- UN Water; and
- UN University.
