Friday World January 9, 2026
A sweeping blow to multilateralism. On January 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump** signed a presidential memorandum directing the immediate withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, agencies, and bodies. This decision, rooted in **Executive Order 14199 (issued in February 2025), follows a comprehensive State Department review that identified these entities as "wasteful, ineffective, harmful, or contrary to American interests." The list includes 31 UN-affiliated entities and 35 non-UN organizations**, spanning climate change, gender equality, migration, labor, and more.
White House justification: "America First" in action. According to the White House fact sheet and Secretary of State **Marco Rubio**, these institutions no longer serve US priorities. Many are accused of promoting "progressive ideology," "woke" agendas, redundant missions, poor management, or being influenced by foreign actors hostile to American sovereignty. The administration argues that billions in taxpayer dollars have been wasted on bodies that deliver little benefit while undermining US independence. Rubio emphasized: "The days of billions of dollars in taxpayer money flowing to foreign interests at the expense of our people are over."
Key targets include major climate and UN bodies.** Among the most prominent withdrawals is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — the foundational treaty for global climate negotiations — along with the **Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world's leading scientific body on climate. Other notable exits involve **UN Women**, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Water, and various environmental, development, and human rights panels. This move effectively removes the US from core mechanisms addressing global warming, sustainable development, and gender equality.
Building on previous pullouts. This is the most extensive retreat yet in Trump's "America First" foreign policy. It echoes earlier actions, such as re-withdrawing from the Paris Agreement (effective January 27, 2026), quitting the World Health Organization (WHO), halting funding to UNRWA, and exiting the **UN Human Rights Council** and UNESCO. The current wave intensifies the pattern of selective disengagement, where the US only supports bodies aligned with its agenda.
Domestic gains vs. international backlash.** At home, the decision is framed as a victory for fiscal responsibility and nationalism. By redirecting funds from international commitments, the administration aims to boost domestic priorities like infrastructure, border security, and military readiness — appealing directly to Trump's political base. Critics within the US, however, warn of long-term isolation and reduced influence.
→ Global repercussions: A vacuum waiting to be filled.** Internationally, the move has sparked outrage. UN climate chief **Simon Stiell** called the UNFCCC withdrawal a "colossal own goal" that harms US interests amid worsening climate disasters. Environmental groups decry it as a gift to polluters, while allies express concern over Washington's retreat from leadership on shared challenges like climate, health, and human rights. Experts fear this creates a power vacuum that rivals like China could exploit, diminishing US credibility and ability to shape global norms.
A fundamental shift in worldview. Trump's order is more than administrative — it signals a profound rejection of multilateralism in favor of unilateral sovereignty. While it promises short-term savings and nationalist appeal, the long-term risks include greater US isolation, eroded global influence, and strengthened adversaries. The world watches as America steps back from the institutions it once helped build, raising questions about the future of international cooperation in an increasingly interconnected era.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World January 9, 2026
