US to Exit 66 UN and Global Bodies Under New Policy Shift

The United States has announced plans to withdraw from a total of 66 international organisations—35 non-United Nations bodies and 31 United Nations entities—marking a significant shift in its engagement with multilateral institutions.

US President Donald Trump said the decision was taken on the grounds that these organisations “operate contrary to US national interests.” The move was outlined in a formal memo circulated to senior administration officials, signalling a broad rollback of US participation in global frameworks covering climate change, gender equality, human rights, development, trade, energy, and security.

Among the most notable bodies listed is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), widely regarded as the cornerstone of global climate governance and the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The decision to withdraw from the UNFCCC underscores a sharp departure from international climate cooperation at a time when the world is grappling with record-breaking heatwaves, rising global temperatures, and increasing climate-related disasters.

The withdrawal list also includes the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, raising concerns among advocates who view the decision as a setback for global efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equity. Several peacebuilding, development, and human rights-focused UN offices have also been named, alongside bodies dealing with trade, population, oceans, water, and urban development.

Outside the UN system, the US plans to disengage from a wide range of international and intergovernmental organisations involved in renewable energy, biodiversity, migration, democracy, cyber security, counterterrorism, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Climate-related institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are among those affected.

Analysts say the sweeping nature of the withdrawals could have far-reaching implications for global cooperation, particularly in areas where US funding, technical expertise, and diplomatic influence have historically played a major role. Critics argue that stepping back from these platforms may weaken coordinated international responses to challenges such as climate change, conflict, inequality, and sustainable development, while supporters of the move say it reflects a renewed focus on national sovereignty and domestic priorities.

The following is the full list of organisations from which the United States is set to withdraw:

Non-United Nations organisations (35):

24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact

Colombo Plan Council

Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Education Cannot Wait

European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats

Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories

Freedom Online Coalition

Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund

Global Counterterrorism Forum

Global Forum on Cyber Expertise

Global Forum on Migration and Development

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research

Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property

International Cotton Advisory Committee

International Development Law Organization

International Energy Forum

International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law

International Lead and Zinc Study Group

International Renewable Energy Agency

International Solar Alliance

International Tropical Timber Organization

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Pan American Institute of Geography and History

Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation

Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia

Regional Cooperation Council

Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century

Science and Technology Center in Ukraine

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

Venice Commission of the Council of Europe

United Nations organisations (31):

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

ECOSOC — Economic Commission for Africa

ECOSOC — Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

International Law Commission

International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

International Trade Centre

Office of the Special Adviser on Africa

Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict

Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children

Peacebuilding Commission

Peacebuilding Fund

Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

UN Alliance of Civilizations

UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries

UN Conference on Trade and Development

UN Democracy Fund

UN Energy

UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

UN Human Settlements Programme

UN Institute for Training and Research

UN Oceans

UN Population Fund

UN Register of Conventional Arms

UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination

UN System Staff College

UN Water

UN University

The announcements are expected to trigger strong reactions across diplomatic, environmental, and humanitarian circles, as governments and international bodies assess the potential impact of the US withdrawal from these global platforms.