Trump Administration Pulls Support for 66 International Organisations, Targeting UN and Climate Agencies
WASHINGTON: The United States will withdraw from dozens of international organisations, including key United Nations agencies and climate-related agreements, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending US support for 66 global bodies.
A White House statement said the decision followed a review of US participation and funding for international organisations. Many of those affected are UN-linked agencies working on climate, migration, labour and population issues. The list includes the UN Population Fund and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the treaty that underpins global climate negotiations.
Several non-UN organisations are also affected, including the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration viewed the organisations as redundant, mismanaged or contrary to US interests, arguing that some posed risks to national sovereignty and prosperity.
The move extends the administration’s earlier withdrawals from bodies such as the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The US has increasingly adopted a selective approach to multilateral engagement, funding only institutions aligned with its priorities.
The decision has drawn criticism from analysts and climate experts, who warn that US disengagement could weaken international cooperation, particularly on climate change. The US is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
Despite the broad pullback, administration officials say the US will remain active in selected international institutions, especially those involved in global standard-setting where competition with China is a concern.
The withdrawals mark a significant shift in US foreign policy, reducing Washington’s role in multilateral efforts on climate, development and global governance.
By RSS/AP
