Withdrawing the United States From and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations
This executive order (Executive Order 14199, signed February 4, 2025) directs the United States to withdraw from certain United Nations bodies and to reassess the U.S. involvement with international organizations more broadly. It explicitly ends U.S. participation in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), begins a review of UNESCO membership, and halts U.S. funding to UNRWA (the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees). At the same time, it requires a 180-day review of all international intergovernmental organizations and treaties to determine which are contrary to U.S. interests and whether reforms or withdrawal are possible. The order also requires formal notification to the UN and to affected bodies about funding decisions. The overall aim is to realign U.S. engagement with international institutions that the administration views as misaligned with U.S. interests or values, including concerns voiced about anti-Israel sentiment and other perceived problems within certain bodies.
Key Points
- 1UNHRC: The United States will not participate in the UNHRC and will not seek election to it. The Secretary of State shall terminate the U.S. office and any positions dedicated to supporting the U.S. Representative to the UNHRC.
- 2UNESCO: The United States will conduct a 90-day review of its membership in UNESCO, led by the Secretary of State in coordination with the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., to assess whether UNESCO serves U.S. interests and to evaluate any anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.
- 3UNRWA funding: U.S. departments and agencies shall not provide funding to UNRWA. The order directs withdrawing a prior funding determination and, from the UN Regular Budget funding allocated to UNRWA’s contributor line, withholding the U.S. share, consistent with relevant law.
- 4Comprehensive review of IGOs and treaties: Within 180 days, the Secretary, with the UN Ambassador, will review all international intergovernmental organizations the U.S. funds or supports and all treaties/conventions to decide which are contrary to U.S. interests and whether reform or withdrawal is possible; findings and recommendations go to the President.
- 5Notification: The Secretary must inform the UN Secretary-General and the leadership of UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the U.S. will not fund UNRWA or UNHRC and will not satisfy 2025 assessments or arrears for those organizations.