United States to Withdraw from Numerous International Organizations

On January 8, 2026, a memorandum was issued outlining the United States’ withdrawal from a significant number of international organizations. This action, directed by the president, stems from a review initiated by Executive Order 14199, issued on February 4, 2025, which aimed to identify organizations and treaties perhaps contrary to U.S. interests. the decision reflects a reassessment of international commitments and a focus on prioritizing national interests.

Background: Executive Order 14199 and the Review Process

Executive Order 14199 mandated a comprehensive review of all international intergovernmental organizations where the United States holds membership and provides funding. The review also encompassed treaties to which the U.S. is a party. This process was intended to determine which entities might conflict with the strategic objectives of the United States. This review was conducted by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, and resulted in a report presented to the President. The current withdrawal directive is a direct outcome of the findings within that report.

Organizations Facing U.S. withdrawal

The withdrawal directive encompasses a broad range of organizations, categorized as either UN-affiliated or non-UN organizations. The following lists detail the specific groups impacted by this decision.

Non-United Nations Organizations

The United States will be withdrawing from the following non-UN organizations:

• 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
• Colombo Plan Council
• Commission for Environmental Cooperation
• Education Cannot Wait
• European Center of Excellence for countering Hybrid Threats
• Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories
• Freedom Online Coalition
• Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund
• Global Counterterrorism Forum
• Global Forum on Cyber Expertise
• Global forum on Migration and development
• Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research
• Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
• International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
• International Cotton Advisory Committee
• International Development Law Organization
• International Energy Forum
• International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies
• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
• International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law
• International Lead and Zinc Study Group
• International Renewable Energy Agency
• International Solar Alliance
• International Tropical Timber Organization
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Pan American institute of Geography and History
• Partnership for atlantic Cooperation
• Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
• Regional Cooperation Council
• Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
• Science and Technology Center in Ukraine
• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Surroundings Program
• Venice Commission of the Council of Europe

United Nations Organizations

The following UN organizations are also affected by the withdrawal directive:

• Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – Economic Commission for Africa
• ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
• ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
• ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
• International Law Commission
• international Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
• International trade Centre
• Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
• Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict
• Office of the Special representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
• Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
• Peacebuilding Commission
• Peacebuilding Fund
• Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
• UN Alliance of Civilizations
• UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries
• UN Conference on Trade and Development
• UN Democracy Fund
• UN Energy
• UN Entity for Gender Equality and the empowerment of Women
• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• UN Human Settlements Programme
• UN Institute for Training and Research
• UN Oceans
• UN Population Fund
• UN Register of Conventional Arms
• UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
• UN System Staff College
• UN Water
• UN University

Implementation and Further Review

All executive departments and agencies are directed to promptly implement these withdrawals, ceasing all participation and funding to the listed organizations, as permissible by law. For UN entities, withdrawal involves ceasing participation and funding where legally possible. The Secretary of State will continue to review U.S. involvement in international organizations,with further findings expected to contribute to future policy decisions. this ongoing assessment aims to ensure U.S. engagement aligns with national interests. The Secretary of State will also provide agencies with guidance for implementing this directive.

Published in the Federal Register, this directive underscores the governance’s commitment to reevaluating and prioritizing U.S. involvement in the international arena.