On February 4, President Trump signed an Executive Order addressing U.S. involvement in several named UN agencies and across international organizations. The order specifically called for renewed scrutiny of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Trump indicated that the U.S. would withdraw from these entities and reevaluate its commitments to international organizations writ large.
Defunding UNRWA and UNHRC
A key provision of the Executive Order directs the U.S. Secretary of State to formally notify UN leadership that the U.S. will cease all funding to UNRWA and the UNHRC. Furthermore, the U.S. will not contribute to any assessments for 2025 or settle outstanding arrears owed to these organizations. This decision builds on Trump’s first term policy approach, which saw U.S. withdrawal from several international agreements and institutions the Administration deemed contrary to national interests.
The move against UNRWA follows the U.S. decision in January 2024 to freeze funding after allegations surfaced that some of its employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. That initial suspension of funding was set to expire at the end of March 2025, but the new order effectively ends U.S. support for the foreseeable future.
Similarly, defunding UNHRC continues the Trump administration’s stance against the body, which it previously withdrew from in 2018 for alleged bias against Israel and for including countries with poor human rights records among its membership.
UNESCO and the U.S. Reversal
The Executive Order also revisits the issue of UNESCO membership. Trump’s first administration withdrew from UNESCO in 2018, citing concerns over the organization’s treatment of Israel. However, President Biden reversed this decision in 2023, leading to the U.S. rejoining under conditions that the U.S. would pay its outstanding dues, and that the agency would work to enhance key UNESCO programs, particularly in Holocaust education and protection of press freedoms. The new order reverses Biden’s decision.
Review of International Organizations
Beyond targeting specific UN agencies, the order mandates a comprehensive review of all international intergovernmental organizations, conventions and treaties involving U.S. participation and funding. The goal is to determine whether entities align with U.S. interests and what, if any, reforms may be sought.
The Secretary of State has been directed to complete the review within 180 days and report the findings to the President through the National Security Advisor. The report will include recommendations on whether the U.S. should withdraw from any international organizations or agreements. However, as of now, no details have been provided on who will conduct the review or the specific criteria that will be used.
What’s Next
This Executive Order signals a return to Trump’s America First approach, which prioritizes limiting U.S. involvement in international organizations. The policy shift, should it be fully implemented, would mark a significant departure from the increased multilateral engagement in recent years and a setback to international norms that the U.S. has long championed.