- Trump Withdraws US from 66 International Organisations, Including UN Climate Treaty
- Described the organisations as “redundant, mismanaged, wasteful, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty”
- Critics argue the withdrawal reflects a broader pattern of US disengagement from international organisations
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from 66 international organisations, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a move critics warn could undermine global efforts to tackle climate change and other international challenges.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump signed an executive order suspending US support for dozens of agencies and commissions, many linked to the United Nations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, describing the organisations as “redundant, mismanaged, wasteful, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty.”
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The withdrawal has sparked concern among climate experts and former officials. Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Adviser, called the decision “shortsighted, embarrassing, and foolish,” warning that it forfeits US influence over trillions of dollars in global climate investments and policies. Stanford climate scientist Rob Jackson said the move could weaken international resolve to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The decision affects a wide range of organisations, including environmental, energy, development, cultural, and human rights bodies. Among the non-UN organisations impacted are the 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, and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
The United Nations organisations affected include the 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, UN Peacebuilding Commission, UN Peacebuilding Fund, UN 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.
Critics argue the withdrawal reflects a broader pattern of US disengagement from international organisations, including previous moves affecting the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council. Analysts warn that the absence of US participation may create gaps in funding, leadership, and coordination at a time when global challenges demand cooperation.
Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group described the decision as a “my way or the highway” approach to multilateralism, indicating that the US will cooperate internationally only on its own terms.
