Washington, D.C., January 8: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a presidential memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from a total of 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties deemed to be contrary to US national interests, according to a statement released by the White House.
The memorandum outlines the withdrawal from 35 non-United Nations organizations and 31 United Nations entities. Among the non-UN bodies are the India- and France-led International Solar Alliance, as well as major environmental organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Other non-UN organizations listed include the International Energy Forum, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum.
The United States has also withdrawn from several UN-affiliated entities, including the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the International Law Commission, the International Trade Centre, the Peacebuilding Commission, UN Energy, the UN Population Fund, and UN Water.
Under the executive order, President Trump directed all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to carry out the withdrawals as soon as possible. For United Nations entities, the withdrawal will involve ceasing participation in or funding for those bodies to the extent permitted by US law.
The White House statement said the decision was taken after reviewing a report submitted by the Secretary of State and following consultations with Cabinet members. The President determined that continued participation in or support for these organizations was not aligned with the interests of the United States.
The move follows earlier decisions by the Trump administration to withdraw from international bodies. In January 2025, the United States exited the World Health Organization, citing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The US also withdrew from UNESCO in July 2025, stating that the organization no longer served the country’s national interest.
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