Trump Orders US Exit From UN Climate and Gender Bodies

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from dozens of international and United Nations entities, citing concerns that they operate contrary to U.S. national interests.

The decision, outlined in a memo sent to senior administration officials, includes plans to exit 35 non-U.N. groups and 31 U.N. entities, significantly reshaping America’s engagement with global institutions.

Among the most consequential withdrawals is the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), widely regarded as the bedrock global climate treaty and the parent agreement to the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Key Highlights

• US plans to exit UNFCCC, UN Women, and dozens of global bodies
• Move reflects Trump’s broader push against multilateral institutions
• White House says funding will shift toward US-aligned priorities

The U.S. had already skipped the annual U.N. climate summit last year for the first time in 30 years. Environmental leaders warned the move would leave the U.S. isolated, as every other country remains a UNFCCC member.

The U.S. will also exit UN Women, which promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment, and the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), which focuses on family planning, maternal health, and child health across more than 150 countries.

The Trump administration had already cut UNFPA funding last year. The memo clarifies that withdrawal means ending participation and funding to the extent permitted by law, noting that voluntary contributions to most U.N. agencies have already been sharply reduced.

Additional organizations targeted include the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, the International Energy Forum, the U.N. Register of Conventional Arms, and the U.N. Peacebuilding Commission.

Since beginning his second term, Trump has also halted engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council, extended a funding freeze to UNRWA, exited UNESCO, and announced plans to leave the World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreement.

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The White House said the review aims to eliminate U.S. involvement in bodies promoting “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs”, arguing taxpayer funds should instead support initiatives aligned with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength.