President Donald Trump has initiated the U.S. withdrawal from 66 international organizations, a significant step towards reducing multilateral engagement. This decision comes through an executive order signed on Wednesday, directing government departments to cease participation and funding for various U.N. and non-U.N. entities.
Key Organizations Affected by U.S. Withdrawal
The withdrawal encompasses major U.N. agencies and global bodies. Among the 31 entities linked to the U.N. from which the U.S. will withdraw, the following are notable:
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Central body for climate negotiations.
- UN Women: Focuses on gender equality initiatives.
- UN Population Fund (UNFPA): Addresses reproductive health and demographic issues.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): A prominent organization in environmental conservation.
- UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat): Works on sustainable urban development.
In addition, the U.S. is withdrawing from 35 other international organizations, including:
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Esteemed authority on climate science.
- International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Works to promote renewable energy worldwide.
- Global Counterterrorism Forum: Focused on international collaboration against terrorism.
- Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU): Aims at preventing nuclear proliferation.
Rationale Behind the Withdrawal
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that many of these institutions operated with agendas inconsistent with U.S. interests. The Trump administration has criticized these organizations for their involvement in areas like climate policy, labor rights, and social equity, labeling them as “woke.” This withdrawal follows previous U.S. exits from agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization.
Impact on Global Engagement
This decision represents a broader retreat from multilateral cooperation that has characterized U.S. foreign policy under Trump. It also follows significant funding cuts to U.N. agencies, which have substantially reduced their operations, especially in developing nations.
Market Dynamics and Energy Policy
Moreover, Trump’s withdrawal from key climate agreements aligns with his administration’s push to promote fossil fuels. He has consistently referred to climate change as a “hoax,” expressing skepticism towards renewable energy initiatives. Just recently, he made headlines by suggesting the U.S. would benefit from Venezuelan oil amidst ongoing tensions with its government.
Overall, the U.S. exit from these 66 global organizations signals a decisive shift in international relations and environmental policy, raising questions about its future role on the global stage.
