The United Nations (UN) has pushed back against a sweeping US directive ordering withdrawal from dozens of international bodies, stressing that Washington remains legally bound to pay its assessed contributions under the UN Charter.
The clarification comes after a US presidential memorandum instructed federal agencies to immediately disengage from international organizations and treaties deemed contrary to American interests—many of them part of the UN system.
What did the United States order?
On Wednesday night, the US president signed a memorandum directing executive departments and agencies to withdraw from dozens of international organizations, conventions, and treaties.
According to the document, the order affects 31 UN agencies and entities, with “withdrawal” defined as ending participation or funding to the extent allowed by US law.
Among those affected are:
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UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which supports maternal and child health and addresses sexual and gender-based violence
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UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main UN body coordinating global climate action
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UN Democracy Fund, which supports civil society projects promoting democratic governance
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Several UN Secretariat offices, including those working on children in armed conflict and ending sexual violence as a weapon of war
The list also includes four of the UN’s five regional commissions—Asia-Pacific, Western Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean—key platforms for regional development and multilateral cooperation.
How did the UN respond?
The UN was quick to stress that US cannot ignore the financial obligations the General Assembly has approved.
“As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” the UN spokesperson said Thursday.
Under the UN Charter, assessed contributions to both the regular budget and peacekeeping operations are binding on all member states, regardless of political changes at home.
Will UN operations stop?
No, according to Secretary-General António Guterres.
Despite the US announcement, Guterres emphasized that the UN’s work will continue.
“All United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given by Member States,” the UN said in a statement.
“The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination.”
Why does funding matter now?
The funding dispute comes at a time when the UN is already operating under tighter financial constraints.
For 2026, the General Assembly approved a $3.45 billion regular budget, a sharp reduction from previous years. The approved budget includes a 15% cut in financial resources, and nearly a 19% reduction in staffing.
Any delay or shortfall in assessed contributions from major donors like the US could further strain humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development programs worldwide.
Why is climate cooperation a flashpoint?
One of the most controversial withdrawals involves the UNFCCC, which oversees international climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell described the US move as a setback for global climate cooperation.
“The United States was instrumental in creating the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, because they are both entirely in its national interests,” Stiell said.
He warned that stepping back from climate leadership would have direct consequences for Americans themselves.
“This latest step back from global leadership, climate cooperation and science can only harm the US economy, jobs and living standards, as wildfires, floods, mega-storms and droughts get rapidly worse,” Stiell said, calling the decision “a colossal own goal.”
Is the door closed for the US?
Not entirely.
Stiell said the UNFCCC will continue its work and emphasized that the door remains open for the US to return, noting that Washington has previously exited and rejoined the Paris Agreement.
For now, however, the UN is making one point clear: while political participation may change, legal financial obligations under the UN Charter remain in force—and the work of the Organization will go on, with or without US involvement.
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