The United States has ordered its withdrawal from 66 international and United Nations-affiliated organisations after President Donald Trump signed a new directive on January 7, 2026.
The order instructed U.S. agencies to end participation and funding for bodies deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States.”
The directive was contained in a Presidential Memoranda titled Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, signed by President Trump.
Trump said the decision was based on a determination that continued U.S. membership, participation, or financial support for the affected organisations no longer served national interests.
He stated that the review process was carried out in consultation with the Secretary of State, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, and members of his Cabinet.
The memorandum directed federal agencies to move swiftly to effect the withdrawals. For UN-related entities, withdrawal was defined as ceasing participation or funding to the extent permitted by U.S. law.
“MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:
“Section 1. Purpose. (a) On February 4, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14199 (Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations),” the Presidential memo read in part.
The President also said the review of other international organisations and agreements remained ongoing, indicating that further withdrawals could follow.
The document framed the move as part of a broader effort to reassess U.S. engagement with multilateral institutions, particularly those involved in climate policy, development financing, governance, gender issues, and environmental protection.
Affected agencies and departments
The directive applied to all U.S. executive departments and agencies, requiring coordinated implementation across government.
The Secretary of State was directed to lead the process and issue further guidance as needed, while working with other departments to manage legal, diplomatic, and administrative steps.
The affected organisations included 35 non-UN bodies, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the International Solar Alliance.
It also covered 31 UN-related entities, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Women, the UN Population Fund, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and multiple UN regional economic commissions.
The memorandum clarified that it did not override existing legal authorities or budgetary processes and created no enforceable rights against the U.S. government. The Secretary of State was authorised to publish the directive in the Federal Register.
