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U.S. President Donald Trump walked to the White House on January 4, 2026, after returning from Florida, as captured in a photo by Reuters.
The United States announced plans to withdraw from 35 non-UN organizations and 31 UN entities. Trump explained that these withdrawals are due to conflicts with American national interests. This decision highlights his longstanding skepticism toward multilateral organizations.
Among the entities slated for exit is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), often regarded as the foundation of global climate efforts and the parent agreement of the 2015 Paris accord. The U.S. notably skipped last year’s annual UN climate summit for the first time in thirty years.
Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, stated, “The U.S. is set to leave the UNFCCC first. Other countries participate because they see value beyond moral duty—shaping economic policies and seizing opportunities that come with engaging in these negotiations.”
Further withdrawals include UN Women, which advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on family planning, maternal, and child health across over 150 countries. The U.S. had already cut funding to UNFPA last year. The memo specifies that withdrawing from UN bodies may involve ceasing participation or funding within legal limits. The Trump administration has already sharply reduced voluntary contributions to most UN agencies. No immediate comment was available from the UN Secretary-General’s office.
Trump’s approach reflects his persistent wariness of multinational institutions, especially the UN. He has repeatedly questioned their efficiency, cost, and the extent to which they serve U.S. interests. Over the past year, he has cut U.S. funding for the UN, withdrawn from the Human Rights Council, suspended aid to UNRWA, and exited UNESCO. Additionally, plans to leave the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement have been announced.
Other targeted entities include the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the International Energy Forum, the UN Register of Conventional Arms, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. The White House claimed these organizations promote “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that threaten U.S. sovereignty and economic strength.”
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