President Donald J. Trump signed a sweeping presidential memorandum on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, treaties, and conventions. The directive targets 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN organisations, marking a historic contraction of American multilateral engagement under the administration’s "America First" doctrine.
The memorandum orders all executive departments and agencies to immediately cease participation and funding for the listed groups, which the White House characterised as "contrary to U.S. national interests, security, or sovereignty." This move follows an extensive 180-day review led by the State Department to evaluate the effectiveness and ideological alignment of global institutions receiving American support.
Among the most significant departures is the U.S. exit from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1992 foundational treaty that underpins nearly all global climate diplomacy. By withdrawing from the UNFCCC, the United States becomes the only nation in the world not party to the agreement. The administration also severed ties with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the primary scientific body assessing global warming.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, describing the targeted organisations as "anti-American, useless, or wasteful." In a public statement, Rubio asserted that the administration would "stop subsidising globalist bureaucrats who act against our interests," adding that a review of additional organisations remains ongoing.
The list of affected agencies spans a wide array of sectors beyond climate science. Major humanitarian and development bodies slated for withdrawal include UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. The administration argued these entities promote "radical ideological programmes" and "globalist agendas" that conflict with domestic priorities.
The White House maintains that the withdrawals will save billions in taxpayer dollars. A Fact Sheet released alongside the memorandum claimed that international organisations often "criticise U.S. policies" while achieving "few real results". The administration plans to refocus these resources on bilateral partnerships that more directly serve American economic and security goals.
This latest action builds on a series of similar moves taken since early 2025, including withdrawals from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, and the UN Human Rights Council.
