US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a "Presidential Memorandum" directing government agencies to withdraw from 66 international organizations that the administration argued are no longer serving American interests.
"The Memorandum orders all Executive Departments and Agencies to cease participating in and funding 35 non-United Nations (UN) organizations and 31 UN entities that operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty," said information shared by the White House.
Noting that the move follows a "review ordered earlier this year of all international intergovernmental organizations," the White argued that "these withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities."
The White House framed the decision as part of a broader effort to restore “American sovereignty” and to reduce spending on institutions it said “undermine America’s independence and waste taxpayer dollars.”
The administration argued that many of the targeted organizations “criticize U.S. policies, advance agendas contrary to our values, or waste taxpayer dollars by purporting to address important issues but not achieving any real results.”
The White House said the administration intends to redirect resources toward domestic priorities, including “infrastructure, military readiness, and border security, and acting swiftly to protect American companies from foreign interference.”
Among the highest-profile withdrawals is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the treaty that underpins global climate negotiations and the Paris Agreement.
The administration is also ending US support for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides sexual and reproductive health services worldwide and has long faced opposition from Republicans.
Previous withdrawals include the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, UNESCO and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Beyond the UN, Washington will also leave several security, democracy and regional cooperation bodies, including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation.
The remainder of the organizations are largely technical, research, trade and cultural bodies, with many linked to environmental policy, natural resources, labor, education or data coordination.
They include the United Nations University, the International Tropical Timber Organization, the International Cotton Advisory Committee and multiple scientific and industry study groups.
The administration said the entities are redundant, ineffective, or misaligned with US priorities, and that funds will be redirected to domestic and strategic initiatives.
