United States President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will withdraw from dozens of international organisations and bodies linked to the United Nations, marking a significant shift away from multilateral engagement on issues ranging from climate change to development cooperation.
U.S. to Exit 66 International Bodies
In a statement released by the White House, the administration confirmed that the United States will pull out of 66 international organisations, including 31 bodies associated with the United Nations, and will halt all related funding.
The White House said the decision was taken because the organisations operate in ways that conflict with U.S. national interests, economic priorities, security concerns, and sovereignty.
“Many of these bodies promote radical climate policies, global governance frameworks, and ideological programmes that undermine U.S. sovereignty and economic strength,” the statement said.
Criticism From International Policy Experts
Reacting to the announcement, Richard Gowan, UN Director for the International Crisis Group, said the move signals a broader retreat from global cooperation.
According to Gowan, the Trump administration has increasingly viewed international development, environmental cooperation, and gender-equality initiatives as ideologically driven and inconsistent with its policy agenda.
He noted that since President Trump returned to office, his administration has been openly critical of institutions promoting international law, sustainable development, and social inclusion.
Key Organisations Affected
Among the most prominent bodies the United States plans to withdraw from is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific authority on climate research and policy guidance.
The administration also confirmed its withdrawal from the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which contributed to the 2018 UN Global Compact on Migration—an agreement rejected by Trump officials during his first term on sovereignty grounds.
Another organisation affected is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency supporting reproductive health and family planning globally. The White House noted that funding to the agency had already been cut during Trump’s previous term, amid criticism from conservative groups who accuse it of promoting abortion.
Withdrawal From Lesser-Known Bodies
The list also includes smaller and lesser-known organisations, such as the International Cotton Advisory Committee, a Washington-based organisation established nearly 90 years ago to coordinate cooperation among cotton-producing nations.
Rubio Defends Decision
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the policy shift, arguing that many international organisations serve what he described as a “globalist project” designed to limit American independence.
Rubio said the administration believes these bodies are rooted in outdated assumptions about global governance and are increasingly misaligned with U.S. interests.
Broader Implications
The decision is expected to deepen debate over America’s role in global governance and could reshape international cooperation on climate change, migration, development, and public health.
While supporters say the move strengthens U.S. sovereignty, critics warn it may weaken global institutions and reduce Washington’s influence on international policy-making.
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