The President of the United States has directed all executive departments and agencies to withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including major United Nations bodies and prominent climate, energy, human rights and development institutions.

The directive, issued in a formal memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies, follows a comprehensive review ordered under Executive Order 14199, signed on February 4, 2025.

That order mandated a reassessment of all international organizations, treaties and conventions supported or funded by the United States to determine whether they align with U.S. national interests.

According to the memorandum, the Secretary of State completed the review in consultation with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and submitted findings to the President.

After deliberations with Cabinet members, the President concluded that continued U.S. membership, participation or financial support in a broad range of organizations was “contrary to the interests of the United States.”

The memorandum instructs all federal agencies to take “immediate steps” to effectuate U.S. withdrawal from the listed organizations as soon as legally possible. For United Nations entities, withdrawal is defined as ceasing participation or funding to the maximum extent permitted under U.S. law.

The administration emphasized that the review process is ongoing, signaling that additional withdrawals or policy shifts could follow.

Climate, Energy and Environment Bodies Affected

Among the most consequential decisions is the U.S. withdrawal from key global climate and environmental institutions, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD).

The United States will also exit international biodiversity and conservation bodies such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Analysts say these moves could significantly weaken international climate cooperation, given the United States’ historic role as a major funder and political driver of global environmental initiatives.

Withdrawal From UN Development and Humanitarian Structures

The memorandum lists more than 30 United Nations entities from which the U.S. will disengage.

These include core UN development and coordination bodies such as the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN-Women, the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Peacebuilding Fund.

Several offices focused on vulnerable populations — including children in armed conflict, sexual violence in conflict, and violence against children — are also affected, raising concerns among humanitarian organizations and human rights advocates.

The U.S. will additionally withdraw from the UN’s regional economic commissions covering Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Asia.

Security, Democracy and Rule-of-Law Institutions Cut

The directive also ends U.S. involvement in a wide range of security, democracy and governance bodies, including the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

Regional cooperation mechanisms addressing piracy, cyber expertise, migration and hybrid threats in Europe and Asia are also slated for U.S. withdrawal.

Legal and Budgetary Limits

The memorandum stresses that implementation must comply with existing U.S. law and depend on the availability of appropriated funds. It does not override statutory authorities of federal agencies or the budgetary role of the Office of Management and Budget.

It also makes clear that the directive does not create enforceable legal rights for any party against the U.S. government.

The Secretary of State has been instructed to issue further guidance to agencies as needed and to publish the memorandum in the Federal Register.

Global Reaction Anticipated

Diplomats and international observers expect the decision to trigger strong reactions from allies, international institutions and developing countries that rely heavily on U.S. funding and technical support.

Critics warn the withdrawals could diminish U.S. influence on global standards, security cooperation and development policy, while supporters argue the move restores sovereignty and redirects resources to domestic priorities.

As the administration signals that additional reviews are ongoing, uncertainty remains over the future scope of U.S. engagement with the international system.