US president Donald Trump has directed all United States government departments and agencies to begin withdrawing from dozens of international and United Nations (UN) linked organisations.
According to a memorandum issued by the White House, Trump has declared that continued membership and funding of the over 60 bodies is contrary to America’s national interests.
Trump said the decision follows a comprehensive review ordered last year under Executive Order 14199, which required the Secretary of State to assess all international organisations, treaties and conventions to which the US belongs or provides support.
According to the memorandum, the Secretary of State completed the review in consultation with the US representative to the United Nations and submitted findings to that country’s President.
After deliberations with his Cabinet, Trump said he concluded that the United States should no longer remain a member of, participate in, or provide support to a wide range of organisations.
The President has now instructed all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effect the withdrawals “as soon as possible.”
For United Nations entities, the directive clarifies that withdrawal will involve ceasing participation and funding to the extent permitted by US law.
The list of organisations targeted is extensive and spans climate change, environmental protection, energy, democracy, development, gender equality, peacebuilding and multilateral diplomacy.
Among the non-UN bodies the United States is set to withdraw from are the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Solar Alliance.
The memorandum also orders withdrawal from several UN bodies and programmes, including UN Women, the UN Population Fund, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund, and the Economic Commission for Africa, among others.
Several offices focused on children in armed conflict, sexual violence, violence against children and people of African descent are also affected.
The statement further reads that the directive does not mean all withdrawals will happen instantly, noting that actions must comply with existing laws and budgetary processes.
The White House indicated that the review of US participation in international organisations is however still ongoing.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, January 8, 2026
