Washington, Jan 8: President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from a wide range of international bodies, marking a major shift in Washington’s engagement with multilateral institutions during his second term.
The White House said Mr Trump signed a proclamation ending US participation in 35 non-UN organisations and 31 United Nations entities, arguing that they act against American national interests. Officials described the decision as part of a comprehensive review of international agreements, conventions and institutions involving the US.
Among the most significant exits is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational treaty underpinning global climate negotiations and the 2015 Paris Agreement. The decision comes after the US skipped the UN climate summit in 2025, the first such absence in three decades.
The proclamation also covers US withdrawal from UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which works on family planning and maternal and child health worldwide. According to an administration memo, withdrawal from UN bodies involves halting participation and financial contributions wherever permitted under US law. Voluntary funding to most UN agencies has already been sharply reduced.
Since returning to office in 2025, Mr Trump has further scaled back US involvement in several multilateral forums, including the UN Human Rights Council, the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, and the UN cultural body UNESCO. He has also signalled intentions to leave the World Health Organization and formally exit the Paris Climate Agreement.
Critics say the move could isolate the US on key global issues. Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defence Council, warned that the United States would become the first country to withdraw from the UNFCCC, noting that participation allows nations to influence major economic and policy decisions tied to climate action.
The White House defended the decision, saying many of the affected organisations promote what it described as “radical climate policies, global governance and ideological programmes” that undermine US sovereignty and economic strength. Officials added that American taxpayer money would be redirected away from bodies deemed inefficient or misaligned with national priorities.
Other organisations listed for withdrawal include the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the International Energy Forum, the UN Register of Conventional Arms, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres did not immediately comment on the US decision.
