President Donald Trump has signed an order directing the United States to withdraw from dozens of international bodies, including United Nations-related entities, as the administration continues a broader pullback from multinational institutions.
A White House fact sheet described the move as ending U.S. participation and funding for 66 international organizations in total—31 U.N. entities and 35 non-U.N. organizations—though the action is described differently across reports as a proclamation, executive order, or presidential memorandum.
What the order does
The directive calls on U.S. departments and agencies to stop participating in and funding the organizations covered by the withdrawal, according to reporting that cited the White House fact sheet and administration statements.
The administration framed the withdrawals as targeting organizations it argues do not serve U.S. interests, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying in a statement that the institutions were seen as redundant, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, or influenced by interests that conflict with U.S. priorities.
Which groups are affected
NPR and The Washington Post reported that the list includes the U.N. Population Fund and the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, an accord tied to international climate discussions.
NPR also reported that many of the targeted bodies are linked to the United Nations, including agencies, commissions, and advisory groups addressing areas such as climate, labor, and migration.
Among non-U.N. entities, NPR specifically named the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum as examples included in the withdrawals.
Administration’s stated rationale
The New York Times reported that Rubio offered multiple reasons for the simultaneous exit from international entities, including concerns about inefficiency, mismanagement, and duplication, and argued that the returns to the United States did not justify the resources invested.
The Times also reported that Rubio criticized what he described as “progressive ideology” in some organizations, including on issues such as gender equality and climate change.
How this fits a larger shift
The Washington Post and NPR reported that the administration has already cut off support for some major global organizations and U.N.-linked bodies, including the World Health Organization, the U.N. Human Rights Council, the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO, and the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
NPR quoted Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group as saying the move reflects a U.S. approach to multilateralism that is “my way or the highway,” and reported that it marks a sharp shift from how prior administrations—Republican and Democratic—have worked with the United Nations.
At the same time, NPR reported that U.S. officials have said they still see value in the U.N. and would prefer to direct funding toward select initiatives where they believe U.S. influence matters, mentioning areas tied to competition with China and naming organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union, International Maritime, and the International Labor Organization.
Climate and UNFCCC details
NPR reported that the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 1992 and is an agreement among 198 nations that serves as the foundational treaty for the Paris climate accord.
NPR also reported that Trump has called climate change a hoax and that he exited the Paris agreement shortly after taking office.
UN Population Fund details
NPR described the U.N. Population Fund as providing sexual and reproductive health services globally and reported it has faced long-running criticism from Republican officials.
NPR also reported that Trump cut the agency’s funding during his first term, Biden restored funding when he took office in January 2021, and a later State Department review found no evidence supporting allegations that the agency engaged in coercive abortion.
