US President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from dozens of international organisations. Many of these bodies work on climate change and environmental protection. Almost half of the 66 organisations belong to the United Nations system. The list includes the Framework Convention on Climate Change, which anchors global climate cooperation.
The decision also targets organisations working on development, gender equality, and conflict resolution. The administration has repeatedly criticised these areas as ideological or globalist. The White House said the organisations no longer serve American interests and promote ineffective agendas.
White House Justifies Exit With National Interest Claims
Trump signed the withdrawal memorandum on Wednesday after an internal government review. The White House described the organisations as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Officials said the move would end US funding and involvement in groups prioritising global goals over national priorities.
The administration said many organisations promote radical climate policies. It added that international governance efforts undermine US sovereignty and economic strength.
Climate Science Work Faces Serious Disruption
The United States has also withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The panel provides the world’s most authoritative climate science assessments. Governments rely on its reports to understand rising global temperatures.
Sources inside the panel warned of major consequences for ongoing research. They said the withdrawal threatens the involvement of US scientists. The administration has already blocked American researchers from attending a meeting in China.
Restrictions on travel and participation could delay future assessments. The mitigation report faces particular risk of postponement.
Clean Energy and Security Cooperation Hit
The withdrawal goes beyond UN-linked organisations. Several non-UN international bodies also lost US membership. These groups focus on clean energy cooperation and democratic governance. They include the International Solar Alliance and the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance also appears on the list. Trump has previously removed funding from multilateral organisations he opposes. He has repeatedly rejected the scientific consensus on human-driven climate change.
Legal Questions Surround Treaty Withdrawal
The United States must wait one year to complete withdrawal from the climate convention. In practice, the country reduced meaningful participation long ago. Campaigners are now urging legal challenges in US courts.
The US constitution explains how presidents enter treaties. It does not describe how withdrawals should happen. Legal experts say this creates uncertainty for future administrations.
International Leaders Warn of Global Impact
The decision follows a second withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement last year. The administration also declined to attend the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The United States has already exited the World Health Organization and several other UN bodies.
European leaders criticised the move and warned of weakened global cooperation. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the decision regrettable. EU vice-president Teresa Ribera said the administration showed little concern for people or the environment.
A representative from the Union of Concerned Scientists described the move as a new low. Policy director Rachel Cleetus said the administration continues to damage public wellbeing and global stability.
