Why Has the US Withdrawn from 66 International Organisations?

The United States has announced its withdrawal from 66 international organisations, including 31 United Nations–linked bodies and 35 non-United Nations organisations, marking one of the largest rollbacks of US participation in multilateral institutions in modern history.

US President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) titled:

“Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States.”

After signing the memorandum, President Trump said he had determined that it was contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to these organisations.

What Does the Presidential Memorandum Direct US Agencies to Do?

The memorandum directs all US executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to implement the withdrawal of the United States from the listed organisations as soon as possible.

According to the directive:

• For United Nations entities, withdrawal means ceasing participation in or funding to those entities, to the extent permitted by US law

• US agencies are instructed to end both engagement and financial support

• The decision applies to organisations identified as operating against US national interests

A White House fact sheet confirmed that the withdrawal applies to organisations deemed to undermine:

• National security

• Economic prosperity

• Sovereignty, defined as independent US decision-making authority

President Trump described several of these institutions as “redundant” and “contrary” to America’s interests.

How Many Organisations Is the US Withdrawing From?

The withdrawal covers a total of 66 international organisations, divided as follows:

• 31 United Nations–linked entities

• 35 Non-UN international organisations

These organisations span climate change, energy, development, peacebuilding, biodiversity, public health, gender equality, human rights, trade, and security.

Why Does the US Say These Organisations Are Against Its Interests?

The US government has cited multiple reasons for the decision:

• These organisations allegedly operate contrary to US national interests

• Participation is said to undermine US national security

• Continued engagement is argued to harm economic prosperity

• Membership is claimed to erode US sovereignty

The administration maintains that US involvement in these bodies restricts America’s ability to act independently in global affairs.

Has the US Withdrawn from Multilateral Bodies Earlier?

Yes. The current decision follows several earlier US withdrawals from major global frameworks:

• Paris Climate Agreement

  • Aims to limit global temperature rise by reducing greenhouse gas emissions

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• World Health Organization (WHO)

  • The UN’s specialised agency responsible for global public health

• UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

  • Monitors and promotes human rights across countries

These earlier exits reflected a broader shift away from multilateralism.

Read Also | What is the process for a country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement? , Have countries withdrawn from the WHO before?

Which United Nations Organisations Are Affected?

The United States is withdrawing from 31 UN and UN-linked entities, as listed by the White House.

Full List of UN Organisations the US Is Exiting

Organisation	Type
Department of Economic and Social Affairs	UN
UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Economic Commission for Africa	UN
ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean	UN
ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific	UN
ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia	UN
International Law Commission	UN
International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals	UN
International Trade Centre	UN
Office of the Special Adviser on Africa	UN
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict	UN
Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict	UN
Office of the Special Representative on Violence Against Children	UN
Peacebuilding Commission	UN
Peacebuilding Fund	UN
Permanent Forum on People of African Descent	UN
UN Alliance of Civilizations	UN
UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)	UN
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)	UN
UN Democracy Fund	UN
UN Energy	UN
UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)	UN
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)	UN
UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)	UN
UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)	UN
UN Oceans	UN
UN Population Fund (UNFPA)	UN
UN Register of Conventional Arms	UN
UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination	UN
UN System Staff College	UN
UN Water	UN
UN University	UN
Science and Technology Center in Ukraine	UN
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme	UN
Venice Commission of the Council of Europe	UN

Which Non-UN Organisations Is the US Exiting?

The US is also withdrawing from 35 non-UN international organisations, according to the White House.

Full List of Non-UN Organisations Affected

Organisation	Type
Colombo Plan Council	Non-UN
Commission for Environmental Cooperation	Non-UN
Education Cannot Wait	Non-UN
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats	Non-UN
Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories	Non-UN
Freedom Online Coalition	Non-UN
Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund	Non-UN
Global Counterterrorism Forum	Non-UN
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise	Non-UN
Global Forum on Migration and Development	Non-UN
Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research	Non-UN
Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development	Non-UN
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)	Non-UN
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)	Non-UN
International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property	Non-UN
International Cotton Advisory Committee	Non-UN
International Development Law Organization	Non-UN
International Energy Forum	Non-UN
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies	Non-UN
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance	Non-UN
International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law	Non-UN
International Lead and Zinc Study Group	Non-UN
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)	Non-UN
International Solar Alliance	Non-UN
International Tropical Timber Organization	Non-UN
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)	Non-UN
Pan American Institute of Geography and History	Non-UN
Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation	Non-UN
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia	Non-UN
Regional Cooperation Council	Non-UN
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21)	Non-UN
Science and Technology Center in Ukraine	Non-UN
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme	Non-UN
Venice Commission of the Council of Europe	Non-UN
24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact	Non-UN

Why Is the Exit from the International Solar Alliance Important?

The withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance, led by India and France, is particularly significant.

ISA:

• Promotes solar energy deployment

• Focuses on tropical and developing countries

• Supports global clean energy transition

The US exit may affect solar cooperation and financing, though ISA continues with broad international participation.

What Could Be the Impact on Climate Change Efforts?

The US withdrawal affects multiple climate-related institutions, including:

• UNFCCC

• IPCC

• IRENA

• IUCN

• 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact

Potential consequences include:

• Slowing of global greenhouse gas reduction efforts

• Reduced momentum in climate negotiations

• Other countries delaying commitments due to the absence of US leadership

How Does This Decision Affect Multilateralism?

Multilateralism—cooperation through shared global institutions—may weaken further.

Possible outcomes include:

• Greater fragmentation of global governance

• Intensified power rivalries

• Increased protectionism (trade restrictions)

• Shift towards regional or ad-hoc blocs instead of global platforms

What Happens to Development and Humanitarian Assistance?

The US has historically played a dominant funding role in global institutions.

Concerns include:

• Reduced humanitarian assistance

• Declining development aid

• Increased strain on vulnerable regions

What Could Be the Impact on Global Peace and Stability?

The withdrawal from the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund may:

• Weaken post-conflict recovery efforts

• Increase risk of relapse into conflict

• Disproportionately affect Africa and the Caribbean

What Does This Mean for the Global Order?

President Trump’s decision represents one of the most comprehensive US disengagements from global institutions.

While the administration argues it protects sovereignty and national interest, critics warn it could reshape global governance, climate cooperation, development aid, and peacebuilding for years to come.