Trump Orders US Withdrawal from 66 UN and International Bodies
United States President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping directive to withdraw the U.S. from 66 United Nations and international organizations, signaling a massive retreat from global cooperation on issues ranging from climate change to democracy.
In a presidential memorandum released by the White House on Wednesday evening, President Trump stated that the decision followed a comprehensive review identifying “organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States.” The move will result in the immediate cessation of U.S. participation and a total cut of funding to the listed entities.
Key Organizations Targeted
The White House list includes a mix of 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN entities. High-profile targets include:
* Climate Science & Policy: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the treaty body responsible for international climate negotiations.
* Health & Demographics: The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on maternal and child health.
* Democracy & Peace: The UN Democracy Fund, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the UN Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict.
* Conservation: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
While the White House categorized the IPCC as a “non-UN” body, it remains a premier UN entity responsible for providing scientific assessments to global policymakers.
A Pattern of Isolationism
This announcement continues the trend of President Trump’s second term, which began in January 2025. The administration has already withdrawn the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council—reversing moves made by the Biden administration to rejoin these groups.
The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO is scheduled to take full effect on January 22, 2026. This ends a significant funding relationship; between 2024 and 2025, the U.S. contributed $261 million to the WHO, accounting for roughly 18% of the organization’s budget for combating diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Ongoing Friction with the UN
Despite the move to disengage, the Trump administration continues to exert influence over international bodies. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the U.S. retains veto power, which it utilized repeatedly in late 2024 regarding the war on Gaza.
The administration has also taken aggressive stances against specific UN officials and policies:
* Sanctions: The U.S. sanctioned UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese following her report on international corporate complicity in the war on Gaza.
* Policy Blocking: In October 2025, Trump threatened sanctions against diplomats who supported a levy on polluting shipping fuels, effectively stalling the deal for a year.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric indicated that the United Nations is reviewing the memorandum and is expected to issue a formal response by Thursday morning.
Key Takeaways
* Action: The US is quitting 66 international bodies (31 UN, 35 Non-UN).
* Reasoning: The administration deems these groups “contrary to US interests.”
* Impact: Immediate halt to participation and funding.
* Sectors Affected: Climate change research, maternal health, democracy promotion, and conflict zone protections.
