January 8, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed a sweeping Presidential Memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, including 35 non–United Nations bodies and 31 United Nations agencies, marking one of the most extensive rollbacks of U.S. multilateral engagement in modern history.
The directive, titled “Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies,” was published on the White House website and states that continued participation in the affected organisations no longer serves the national interests of the United States.
The withdrawal follows a comprehensive review mandated under Executive Order 14199, signed on February 4, 2025, which instructed the Secretary of State to evaluate U.S. involvement in all international intergovernmental organisations, treaties, conventions, and agreements receiving American funding or support.
According to the memorandum, the Secretary of State submitted detailed findings that were reviewed by President Trump and members of his Cabinet before a final decision was reached.
“After deliberating with my Cabinet, I have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the organizations listed,” Trump stated.
Under the directive, all U.S. executive departments and agencies have been instructed to take immediate steps to effect the country’s withdrawal as soon as legally permissible. In the case of United Nations entities, the order directs the U.S. to cease participation or funding to the maximum extent allowed under existing laws and obligations.
The memorandum authorizes the Department of State to oversee implementation and issue additional guidance to federal agencies where necessary. It also clarifies that the directive does not override existing legal authorities, budgetary controls, or create enforceable legal rights for any party.
The list of affected non-UN organisations spans diverse policy areas including climate change, renewable energy, environmental conservation, democracy promotion, cultural preservation, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and regional cooperation.
Among the bodies listed are the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Freedom Online Coalition, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Several security and justice-focused organisations are also affected, including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
On the United Nations side, the memorandum orders withdrawal from or cessation of funding to numerous offices, commissions, and programmes dealing with climate policy, gender equality, development, trade, peacebuilding, human rights, and global governance.
These include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Women, the UN Population Fund, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the Peacebuilding Fund, UN Oceans, UN Water, and the UN University system, among others.
The directive also covers several UN special offices focused on Africa, children in armed conflict, sexual violence in conflict, and violence against children, as well as multiple commissions operating under the UN Economic and Social Council.
The memorandum signals that the review of U.S. participation in international organisations is ongoing, leaving open the possibility of additional withdrawals in the future.
“My review of further findings of the Secretary of State remains ongoing,” President Trump wrote.
The decision represents a renewed assertion of the Trump administration’s “America First” foreign policy doctrine, emphasizing national sovereignty, cost reduction, and a reassessment of multilateral commitments.
The Secretary of State has been directed to publish the memorandum in the Federal Register, formalizing the order and triggering implementation across the federal government.
Analysts say the move could significantly reshape the United States’ role in global governance, climate diplomacy, development policy, and international security cooperation.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor reactions and implications as the withdrawal process unfolds.
