New york: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concerns over the decision of the White House to withdraw the United States from 35 international organizations and 31 UN entities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Guterres, in a statement by the UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, highlighted the UN’s responsibility to deliver for those who rely on the organization.
President Donald Trump has directed the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. from several international organizations, conventions, and treaties that his administration considers contrary to the interests of the country. This decision was formalized in a White House Memorandum dated January 7, 2026, following a report by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as part of Executive Order 14199 issued on February 4, 2025.
Trump’s memorandum indicates that the decision to withdraw was made after a thorough review of the Secretary of State’s report and discussions with his Cabinet. The President asserted that remaining a member or providing support to the organizations listed was not in the best interests of the United States. Consequently, all executive departments and agencies have been instructed to expedite the withdrawal process.
The withdrawal affects 31 UN agencies and entities, including the UN Population Fund, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Democracy Fund. Several offices of the UN Secretariat, such as those dealing with children in armed conflict and ending sexual violence as a weapon of war, are also impacted, along with four of the five UN regional commissions.
The United States, being the largest assessed contributor to the UN, is responsible for 22 percent of the regular budget and approximately 26 percent of the peacekeeping budget. However, U.S. law caps peacekeeping payments at 25 percent, resulting in significant arrears. As of January 2026, the U.S. has not paid its 2025 assessed contributions, leading to arrears of approximately 1.5 billion dollars.
Despite the U.S. withdrawal, Guterres affirmed that the work of the UN would continue unabated. He emphasized that assessed contributions to the UN budgets are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States. The UN will persist in implementing its mandates with determination to fulfill its responsibility to those who depend on its services.