Kenya, January 08 2026 -The United States has announced it will withdraw from 66 international organisations, including 31 linked to the United Nations and 35 others ranging from climate and energy groups to humanitarian and scientific bodies. This move marks one of the most significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy in decades and has raised questions about the future of global cooperation.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. agencies to pull out of these organisations, citing concerns that many no longer serve America’s national interests or align with its priorities. The decision affects organisations across three main categories:
1. UN affiliated bodies (31) – including agencies on climate, development, peacebuilding, human rights, and trade, such as the UNFCCC, UN Women, and the International Trade Centre.
2. Non UN global organisations (35) – covering science, energy, environment, counterterrorism, and migration, including the IPCC, IUCN, and the International Solar Alliance.
3. Smaller commissions and forums – like the Freedom Online Coalition, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, and other niche multilateral platforms.
The White House has argued that: Many of the organisations are inefficient or misaligned with U.S. priorities, and that participation in these bodies costs taxpayer money while providing limited strategic benefit, claiming that the move is part of the “America First” doctrine, aiming to reclaim national sovereignty and focus resources domestically.
Officials claim this step will allow the U.S. to prioritise its own agenda rather than funding programmes perceived as unnecessary or counterproductive. The withdrawal is more than a bureaucratic reshuffle, it has global consequences: Climate and environmental policy: Exiting bodies like the UNFCCC and IPCC reduces U.S. influence over global climate negotiations, potentially slowing progress on international commitments.
Development and humanitarian work: U.S. disengagement from UN development and peacebuilding programmes could create funding gaps in projects worldwide. Global governance: Reduced U.S. presence in multilateral bodies may allow other countries, especially China, to expand their influence in shaping international standards.
Environmental groups warn that withdrawing from climate organisations risks slowing efforts to combat deforestation, emissions, and biodiversity loss, while diplomats from Europe, Africa, and Asia argue that international collaboration is critical for tackling crises like pandemics, migration, and conflict.
Conservative U.S. policymakers argue the move reduces unnecessary spending and protects national interests, while some industry groups see it as an opportunity to avoid restrictive Leaving many international bodies will take time due to legal and treaty obligations, whereas other countries and organisations will need to fill gaps left by the U.S., especially in climate, development, and humanitarian aid. analysts will watch how U.S. absence affects global policymaking, trade negotiations, and multilateral cooperation.
The U.S. withdrawal from 66 global organisations is unprecedented in scale, signaling a shift toward unilateralism. While intended to protect American interests, the decision raises questions about the future of global cooperation in areas ranging from climate action to human rights.
31 United Nations (UN)Affiliated Organisations:
1. Department of Economic and Social Affairs
2. UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — Economic Commission for Africa
3. ECOSOC — Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
4. ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
5. ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
6. International Law Commission
7. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
8. International Trade Centre
9. Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
10. Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict
11. Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
12. Office of the Special Representative on Violence Against Children
13. Peacebuilding Commission
14. Peacebuilding Fund
15. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
16. UN Alliance of Civilizations
17. UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
18. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
19. UN Democracy Fund
20. UN Energy
21. UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
22. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
23. UN Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat)
24. UN Institute for Training and Research
25. UN Oceans
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26. UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
27. UN Register of Conventional Arms
28. UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
29. UN System Staff College
30. UN Water
31. UN University
35 Non UN Global Organisations:
1. 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Compact
2. Colombo Plan Council
3. Commission for Environmental Cooperation
4. Education Cannot Wait
5. European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats
6. Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories
7. Freedom Online Coalition
8. Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund
9. Global Counterterrorism Forum
10. Global Forum on Cyber Expertise
11. Global Forum on Migration and Development
12. InterAmerican Institute for Global Change Research
13. Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development
14. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
15. Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
16. International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural
Property
17. International Cotton Advisory Committee
18. International Development Law Organization
19. International Energy Forum
20. International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies
21. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
22. International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
23. International Lead and Zinc Study Group
24. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
25. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
26. International Tropical Timber Organization
27. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
28. Pan American Institute of Geography and History
29. Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation
30. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)
31. Regional Cooperation Council
32. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
33. Science and Technology Center in Ukraine
34. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
35. Venice Commission of the Council of Europe








