U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, describing them as ineffective, wasteful, and no longer aligned with American interests.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed the decision in a statement issued from the White House, explaining that the organisations were identified following a comprehensive review conducted by the Trump administration.
According to Rubio, the review was aimed at assessing international bodies that the administration considers wasteful, ineffective, or harmful to U.S. national priorities.
The move follows Executive Order 14199, signed by Trump on February 4, 2025, which formally withdrew the United States from selected United Nations agencies and ended U.S. funding to them.
Subsequently, the Secretary of State was mandated-working alongside the U.S. Representative to the United Nations-to evaluate all international intergovernmental organisations in which the U.S. holds membership or provides any form of support.
Rubio confirmed that the review process remains ongoing for additional organisations under the same executive order.
“President Trump has been clear: it is no longer acceptable to continue sending the blood, sweat and treasure of the American people to institutions that deliver little or nothing in return,” Rubio said.
He added that the administration was determined to halt the flow of billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to foreign entities that, in its view, prioritise global interests over those of U.S. citizens.
As a result, the United States will formally withdraw from the 66 identified organisations.
Among the non-UN bodies affected are the Global Forum on Migration and Development, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law.
UN-affiliated entities listed include the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Trade Centre, Peacebuilding Commission, Peacebuilding Fund, Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and the UN Alliance of Civilisations.
Others are the UN Conference on Trade and Development, UN Democracy Fund, UN Energy, UN Women, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Population Fund.
Rubio argued that what began as a pragmatic system for peace and cooperation had evolved into an expansive framework of global governance driven by ideology rather than national interest.
He criticised many international organisations for promoting progressive agendas such as diversity, equity and inclusion, gender equity campaigns, and climate policies, which he said undermine national sovereignty.
“These organisations increasingly serve a globalist project and actively seek to constrain American sovereignty,” Rubio said, adding that their operations are sustained by elite multilateral networks, which the administration has begun dismantling, including through the closure of USAID.
He emphasised that the United States would no longer expend diplomatic capital, financial resources, or political legitimacy on institutions that conflict with its interests.
“We reject inertia and ideology in favour of prudence and purpose. We will cooperate where it benefits our people and stand firm where it does not,” Rubio stated.
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