Maseru, Jan. 08—The United States (US) has formally begun the process of withdrawing from 66 international organisations and treaties, including significant group of United Nations (UN) bodies and other multilateral institutions, in a sweeping move that underscores a growing shift toward a more unilateral approach to global engagement.
President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Wednesday directing all federal agencies to initiate withdrawal procedures from the organisations listed, declaring that continued participation in them was ‘’contrary to the interests of the US’’. According to the White House, the list comprises 31 UN-affiliated entities and 35 non-UN organisations which officials describe as redundant, mismanaged, or at odds with US priorities.
The decision represents one of the most expansive retreats from multilateral cooperation in recent American history. Among the most consequential exits is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational treaty underpinning global climate agreements, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international scientific body on climate research.
Administration officials argue the move will save taxpayer money and allow Washington to focus its resources on areas where it can exert more direct influence…
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