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GIWPS Analysis: The US is Pulling Back from Multilateralism

January 9, 2026

• GIWPS

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This week, the White House issued a presidential memorandum announcing that the United States will no longer participate in 66 critical international organizations, including most UN organizations related to advancing and protecting women and girls, from the lead agency, UN Women, to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the UN Population Fund.  

Further, the U.S. is withdrawing from key multilateral initiatives that advance core American values such as democracy and peace: the UN Democracy Fund, Peacebuilding Commission, and Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, among others. President Donald Trump also announced that the U.S. will leave the key global climate treaty, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The U.S. Senate ratified this treaty unanimously three decades ago, and it serves as the foundational agreement among all nations to address climate change. The treaty has near-universal membership from 198 Parties.  

The Trump Administration claims these institutions and agreements are harmful and ineffective. 

“This is a terrible and unprecedented, solely ideological decision to abandon critical multilateral organizations that have allowed the U.S. to advance America’s values, safeguard our people, and promote our economic interests. These organizations provide key technical expertise, spaces for international cooperation, and practical solutions to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. When countries work together to solve global problems, America benefits, and everyone benefits,” said GIWPS Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer.   

“The Trump administration’s action harms U.S. leadership and shortchanges our interests. In the absence of U.S. participation, other nations, who do not share our interests, will fill the void,” added Verveer. 

This decision builds on earlier administration decisions to eliminate USAID and reduce key functions in the U.S. State Department and other agencies.  

“At the UN, the U.S. has played a key role in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda and protecting women’s rights worldwide for over 80 years. This was rooted in the recognition that every human—including every woman and girl—deserves to live in a peaceful world where their fundamental rights are respected. By withdrawing from these organizations, the U.S. is continuing to isolate itself and undermine its own security and influence,” said GIWPS Director of Policy and Programs Kim Hart.  

The U.S.’ withdrawal from the UN climate framework and other international organizations focused on addressing climate change weakens global cooperation at a pivotal moment when climate impacts are accelerating and only getting worse, including in the U.S. 

“For women—particularly in fragile, violent, and resource-dependent contexts—this retreat means even fewer social and environmental protections, less financing, and diminished influence in the forums where climate decisions that significantly affect women and girls’ lives are made,” said GIWPS Gender and Climate Security Fellow Tamara Bah. 

President Trump’s decision will only serve to harm the interests of the American people and further isolate the U.S. at a time when international cooperation is more important than ever.