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‎President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from 66 international organisations and treaties, including key United Nations bodies and a foundational global climate treaty.
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‎The White House disclosed on Wednesday that the affected organisations and agreements were listed in an official memorandum as being “contrary to the interests of the United States.”
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‎Among the most notable withdrawals is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the treaty that underpins major global climate agreements. The UNFCCC was adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and ratified later that year by the U.S. Senate under former President George H.W. Bush.
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‎The move follows Trump’s earlier decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, which he had also exited during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, before the decision was reversed by former President Joe Biden.
‎Legal experts have raised concerns over the withdrawal from the UNFCCC, noting that while the U.S. Constitution outlines the process for entering treaties, it is silent on withdrawal procedures.
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‎Jean Su, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, described the decision as unprecedented, arguing that it may be unlawful for a president to unilaterally withdraw from a treaty ratified by a two-thirds Senate majority.
‎Similarly, Li Shuo of the Asia Society Policy Institute warned that the decision could significantly undermine global climate cooperation.
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‎In a statement, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the move, saying it weakened America’s leadership role globally and could allow rival nations to fill the vacuum.
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‎The memorandum also directed U.S. withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as well as other climate-related bodies including the International Renewable Energy Agency, UN Oceans and UN Water.
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‎In addition, the administration confirmed renewed withdrawal from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and further reductions in funding to several UN agencies such as the World Food Programme and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
‎Other organisations affected include the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
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‎U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision was necessary to protect American sovereignty, accusing the organisations of promoting “progressive ideology” and globalist agendas.
‎Trump has consistently criticised the United Nations, questioning its relevance and effectiveness in advancing U.S. interests.
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