(Reuters): U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from dozens of international and United Nations-linked organizations, saying they operate against U.S. national interests and undermine American sovereignty.
According to a memo sent to senior administration officials, Washington will exit 35 non-UN groups and 31 UN entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), widely regarded as the foundation of global climate diplomacy and the parent treaty to the 2015 Paris Agreement. The move would make the United States the first country to leave the UNFCCC. Climate advocates warn the decision could significantly reduce U.S. influence over global economic and environmental policymaking.“The United States would be the first country to walk away from the UNFCCC,” said Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, adding that disengagement would cost Washington a seat at the table in negotiations shaping major economic and climate policies.
The U.S. will also withdraw from UN Women, which works to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the agency focused on family planning and maternal and child health in more than 150 countries. U.S. funding for UNFPA was cut last year.For UN entities, withdrawal would mean ending participation or funding to the extent permitted by law, according to the memo. Trump has already significantly reduced voluntary U.S. funding to most UN agencies.
The decision reflects Trump’s long-standing skepticism toward multilateral institutions. Since beginning his second term, he has reduced U.S. engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, halted funding for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, exited UNESCO, and announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement.
Other organizations on the withdrawal list include the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the International Energy Forum, the UN Register of Conventional Arms, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission.The White House said the targeted entities promote “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs” that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
