Trump signs executive order to withdraw from dozens of International Organizations
In a move reflecting the full force of his America First policy, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing Washington from 66 international organizations, a decision that could reshape global balances and multilateral diplomacy.
In an official statement released Wednesday, the White House announced that this move stems from President Trump’s view that these entities, including 31 UN agencies, no longer serve the interests of the United States.
The statement clarified that the decision wasn’t arbitrary, but rather the result of an assessment that concluded the policies and actions of these organizations directly conflict with US national interests, making continued membership or funding an unjustified burden.
Despite the magnitude of the decision, the Trump administration has not yet released the full list and specific names of the organizations affected by the withdrawal, opening the door to speculation in international political circles about which entities will lose US support and presence in the coming period.
This decision isn’t isolated, but rather part of a series of actions taken by Trump since the start of his second presidential term on January 20, 2025.
Among the most prominent steps he has taken previously are:
- Paris Climate Agreement: Withdrawal for the second time, confirming his policies in the energy sector.
- Human Rights Council: Leaving the UN body.
- UNRWA: Completely halting funding for the relief and employment of Palestinian refugees.
The complete list of organizations from which the United States has withdrawn:
First — Non-UN organizations (35 organizations):
- 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
- Venice Commission of the Council of Europe
Second — United Nations organizations and bodies (31 entities):
- 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
- Peacebuilding Commission
- Peacebuilding Fund
- Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
- UN Alliance of Civilizations
- UN Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
- UN Conference on Trade and Development
- UN Democracy Fund
- UN Energy
- UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat)
- UN Institute for Training and Research
- UN Oceans
- UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
- UN Register of Conventional Arms
- UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
- UN System Staff College
- UN Water
- UN University
Observers see this mass withdrawal as a diplomatic earthquake, as international organizations lose their biggest funder and political influencer, which may prompt other countries to reassess their roles or leave a vacuum that other international powers may seek to fill.
