The Trump administration has announced plans to withdraw the United States from a total of 66 international organisations. This includes 31 United Nations bodies and 35 organisations that operate outside the UN system.
Officials say many of these organisations focus on climate change, labour rights, migration, and social issues. The administration believes such groups promote diversity-driven agendas and “woke” initiatives that it claims go against US national interests.
According to the administration, continued involvement in these organisations no longer aligns with America’s policy direction. The decision reflects a broader shift toward limiting international commitments and prioritising domestic concerns.
Global observers warn that leaving so many bodies at once could reduce US influence on major international issues. Critics also fear the move may weaken global cooperation on climate, labour protections, and humanitarian efforts.
Supporters of the decision argue it will save resources and allow the US to focus on policies that directly benefit its own citizens. However, reactions remain sharply divided both at home and abroad.
This move shows a clear shift in how the US wants to deal with the world. Leaving so many organisations may reduce cooperation but could strengthen America’s independent policy stance.
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Here is a list of all the agencies that the US is exiting, according to the White House:
31 United Nations organisations
1. Department of Economic and Social Affairs
2. UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Economic Commission for Africa
3. ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
4. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
5. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
6. International Law Commission
7. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
8. International Trade Centre
9. Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
10. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict
11. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
12. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
13. Peacebuilding Commission
14. Peacebuilding Fund
15. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
16. UN Alliance of Civilizations
17. UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
18. UN Conference on Trade and Development
19. UN Democracy Fund
20. UN Energy
21. UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
22. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
23. UN Human Settlements Programme
24. UN Institute for Training and Research
25. UN Oceans
26. UN Population Fund
27. UN Register of Conventional Arms
28. UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
29. UN System Staff College
30. UN Water
31. UN University.
One of President Trump’s first actions after returning to office in January 2025 was to announce the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement for the second time. This will take effect on January 27, 2026. From this point forward, the US will no longer be legally bound by the agreement’s carbon-cutting pledges.
In the new memorandum, the administration moved beyond the Paris Agreement to target the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) itself, which is the foundational 1992 treaty that the Paris Agreement is built upon. By withdrawing from the UNFCCC, the administration aims to exit the entire international framework for climate negotiations.
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The withdrawal from the UNFCCC is particularly significant as it is a Senate-ratified treaty. The administration’s authority to unilaterally withdraw from such treaties is expected to face legal challenges.
Notably, the US remains a member of the UN Security Council, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which the administration identified as serving essential security or humanitarian functions.
35 non-UN organisations
1. 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
2. Colombo Plan Council
3. Commission for Environmental Cooperation
4. Education Cannot Wait
5. European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats
6. Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories
7. Freedom Online Coalition
8. Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund
9. Global Counterterrorism Forum
10. Global Forum on Cyber Expertise
11. Global Forum on Migration and Development
12. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
13. Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development
14. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
15. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
16. International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
17. International Cotton Advisory Committee
18. International Development Law Organization
19. International Energy Forum
20. International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies
21. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
22. International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
23. International Lead and Zinc Study Group
24. International Renewable Energy Agency
25. International Solar Alliance
26. International Tropical Timber Organization
27. International Union for Conservation of Nature
28. Pan American Institute of Geography and History
29. Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation
30. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
31. Regional Cooperation Council
32. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
33. Science and Technology Center in Ukraine
34. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
35. Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
