In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that marks the U.S. withdrawal from 66 international organizations, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The decision is part of a broader reassessment of American involvement and funding in global institutions.
The executive order, which suspends U.S. participation in these organizations, is a result of the Trump administration’s comprehensive review of international affiliations. As stated in a White House memorandum, the withdrawal targets entities deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States.”
Andreas Sieber, associate director of policy and campaigns with 350.org, expressed concern over the decision, remarking on LinkedIn, “Not exactly a smart move leaving rulemaking to others. This will hurt the U.S. influence for decades.”
The organizations affected primarily include UN-related bodies that address issues such as climate change, population, and labor. According to a report by The Associated Press, other groups on the list are the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the withdrawal by labeling these institutions as “redundant” and suggesting they are mismanaged or pose a threat to U.S. sovereignty and interests.
Forfeiting Climate Influence
The decision to exit the UNFCCC, a pivotal framework established in 1992 to support climate change efforts in developing nations, signals a continued distancing by the Trump administration from global climate initiatives. This move follows Trump’s earlier withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, which he dismissed as a “hoax.”
Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Adviser, criticized the decision, stating it is “shortsighted, embarrassing, and a foolish decision.” She further noted, “This administration is forfeiting our country’s ability to influence trillions of dollars in investments, policies, and decisions that would have advanced our economy and protected us from costly disasters wreaking havoc on our country.”
Rob Jackson, a Stanford University climate scientist, emphasized the potential global repercussions, suggesting that the U.S. withdrawal could encourage other nations to delay their climate commitments.
Building on a Pattern
This latest move is consistent with the Trump administration’s previous actions, such as suspending support for the World Health Organization and the UN Human Rights Council. The administration has opted for a selective approach in supporting UN operations, aligning only with those that conform to its agenda.
Daniel Forti from the International Crisis Group described the administration’s stance as a “my way or the highway” approach to multilateralism, indicating a preference for international cooperation strictly on Washington’s terms.
The U.S. withdrawal has forced the United Nations to undertake internal adjustments, including staffing and program reductions, while independent agencies report closures of projects due to cuts in U.S. foreign aid.
Despite these shifts, Trump administration officials maintain that they aim to bolster American influence in key UN initiatives, particularly in areas of competition with China.
The U.S. has also ceased funding the UN Population Fund, accusing it of involvement in coercive abortion practices, claims President Joe Biden later reversed by restoring funding and finding no supporting evidence.
Non-UN 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 Combating 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
— Venice Commission of the Council of Europe
United Nations Organizations
— Department of Economic and Social Affairs
— UN Economic and Social Council, or 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
— UN University
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