Trump withdraws US from 66 global bodies

Trump

The United States has formally withdrawn from 66 international organisations, including several key climate and UN-related bodies, under orders from President Donald Trump.

The withdrawal, announced in a memorandum signed on Wednesday, affects 35 non-UN entities and 31 UN-related organisations. Among the UN bodies is the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, widely regarded as the “bedrock” climate treaty and the parent agreement of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord.

The White House explained that the decision was taken because the affected organisations “no longer serve American interests” and promote “ineffective or hostile agendas.”

Among the groups listed for withdrawal are the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, Colombo Plan Council, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, International Development Law Organisation, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — Economic Commission for Africa, International Trade Centre, UN Human Settlements Programme, and Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. Punch