Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January of 2025, the Trump Administration has been quick to withdraw from a variety of organizations, many of which are global and include members from neighboring countries.
Paris Climate Agreement
The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement in the “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements” executive order.
According to Holland & Knight, the US is formally withdrawing from the PCA and any related agreements or pacts with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“It outlines steps to rescind financial and policy commitments to international climate initiatives with the goal of reorienting the country's focus towards economic efficiency and American prosperity in future international energy engagements,” Holland & Knight’s page read.
The PCA is a globally-recognized treaty that is meant to reduce the potential risk of climate change by putting forth efforts to reduce the global temperature levels to be below the international pre-industrial era’s average.
Originally, this treaty stated that the nations involved had to work to reduce the annual global warming to under 2°C, or 35.6°F.
“However, in recent years, world leaders have stressed the need to limit global warming to [34.7°F] by the end of this century. That’s because the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the [34.7°F] threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall,” the UN’s website states.
It is recognized by over 190 countries throughout the world.
The World Health Organization
The U.S. withdrew from the World Health Organization in the “Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization” executive order.
“The U.S. withdrew from the WHO in 2020 in response to what [President Trump] viewed as mishandling of global health crises such as COVID-19, failure to implement reforms, its inability to remain independent of negative political influence and unjust financial demands,” Holland & Knight states.
As part of an effort to make the U.S. more independent and less dependent on outside sources, the executive order also claims that it will designate members of the U.S. government to instead take control of the responsibilities that the WHO would usually have.
The WHO was suggested in 1945 by representatives of Brazil and China, though all members of the United Nations went on to help formulate and implement WHO around the world. April 7, the date it came into force, is celebrated as World Health Day.
“Our team of 8000+ professionals includes the world’s leading public health experts, including doctors, epidemiologists, scientists and managers. Together, we coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies, promote well-being, prevent disease and expand access to health care. By connecting nations, people and partners to scientific evidence they can rely on, we strive to give everyone an equal chance at a safe and healthy life,” the WHO website reads.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The U.S. government is working to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs due to the “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” executive order.
Trump has made a variety of executive orders after the original in which he targets DEI programs in specific organizations, such as the U.S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Federal Aviation Administration and the overall federal government.
DEI was introduced during the Biden Administration with the goals of introducing a framework that allows for U.S. citizens to not face discrimination in the workplace. Wikipedia provides a thorough explanation for it.
“In the United States, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are organizational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on identity or disability,” Wikipedia states.
DEI programs did not discriminate against any group, but instead had goals to include minorities, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, POC and those of religions that have faced a history of discrimination.
United Nations Human Rights Council
The US withdrew from the Human Rights Council and is considering withdrawing from a variety of other UN organizations in the “Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations” executive order.
“Within 180 days of the order, the secretary of state and the U.N. Ambassador will review all international intergovernmental organizations the U.S. is a part of and provide types of funding or support. The review will assess if these organizations, conventions and treaties are contrary to the interests of the U.S. and whether they can be reformed,” Holland & Knight says.
The order was made on Feb. 4, meaning the secretary of state and the UN Ambassador have until Aug. 3 to review the US’s position in these organizations.
“The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year,” the Human Rights Council website states.
The Council is composed of 47 Member States and works to identify and respond to any potential human rights violations in any part of the world. It does a lot to protect human rights throughout the world, which includes doing thorough research into any potential violations.
“[The council] authorizes commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions, which produce hard-hitting evidence on war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the website reads.
Potentially: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
While it has not officially been decided, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is one of many global organizations that the US may consider backing out of.
This organization, described as the “Laboratory of Ideas” on the United Nations’s website, works to shape global policy and build a peaceful, involved world.
“UNESCO engages with governments to establish international standards and legal texts that respond to the biggest challenges of our time; We develop tools for cooperation among states and implement large-scale programmes that have a meaningful impact on people's lives and communities; [And] we create lists and designations that form a unique global network, protecting cultural heritage, promoting peace, and inspiring positive change,” the official website reads.
UNESCO has a wide variety of objectives and goals that work to unite the world by bringing together education, science, research and recognition of cultural and environmental aspects of the world. For example, this organization has designated over 1,000 World Heritage Sites, over 750 Biosphere Reserves, over 200 Global Geoparks and more.
There are four strategic objectives of UNESCO: “Ensure equitable and inclusive education for all; build sustainable societies by sharing scientific progress; make the world more just and inclusive; [and] guarantee that new technologies benefit humanity.”
Ultimately, there are many worldwide organizations that the US has decided to withdraw from, many of which are part of the United Nations. It is unsure what President Trump’s next objectives are, or the true purpose of many of these decisions.
