Consolidated Updates: Executive Order on US Withdrawal from UN Organizations

• February 3, 2025: News outlets (Politico, NPR) reported that President Trump was expected to issue an executive order on Tuesday, February 4th, withdrawing the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and halting funding to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees). Executive Order signed to withdraw the United States from certain United Nations organizations and end their funding. (Source: White House Website)

• February 4, 2025: President Trump signed the Executive Order WITHDRAWING THE UNITED STATES FROM AND ENDING FUNDING TO CERTAIN UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS AND REVIEWING UNITED STATES SUPPORT TO ALL INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. This order officially withdraws the US from the UNHRC, initiates a review of UNESCO membership, and cuts funding to UNRWA. It also mandates a broad review of US funding for all international intergovernmental organizations. (Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-and-ending-funding-to-certain-united-nations-organizations-and-reviewing-united-states-support-to-all-international-organizations/)

  • The order directs the Secretary of State to inform the UN Secretary General and the leadership of UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the United States will not fund UNRWA or the UNHRC and that the United States will not satisfy any claims to pay 2025 assessments or prior arrears by these organizations.

• February 4, 2025: The UN is anticipating significant funding cuts due to the US withdrawal. (Source: DuckDuckGo search)

• February 4, 2025: Palestine Liberation Organization's Hussein al-Sheikh criticizes the defunding of UNRWA as particularly harmful given the current context.

• February 4, 2025: The New York Times highlights the uncertainty the executive order casts on the US's leadership role in the UN.