UN secretary-general António Guterres has expressed regret over President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from 35 international organisations and 31 UN entities.

Mr Guterres, in a statement on Thursday, said the UN had a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on the organisation.

Mr Trump had directed the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. from certain international organisations, conventions, and treaties that his administration considers contrary to the country’s interests.

In a White House memorandum dated January 7, 2026, Mr Trump said the action was the result of a report by U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio following his Executive Order 14199 of February 4, 2025.

Mr Trump said that after reviewing the report, he had directed the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. from 35 non-UN and 31 UN organisations.

Trump added that “for United Nations entities, withdrawal means ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law”.

“My review of further findings of the secretary of state remains ongoing,” the U.S. leader stated.

Mr Trump’s decision affected 31 UN agencies and entities. These include the UN Population Fund, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Democracy Fund, the UN Secretariat, and four of the five UN regional commissions (Asia-Pacific, Western Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean), which are key platforms for multilateral cooperation.

The United States is the largest assessed contributor to the UN, responsible for 22 per cent of the regular budget and approximately 26 per cent of the peacekeeping budget as of 2025.

While assessments for peacekeeping can exceed 26 per cent, U.S. law caps payments at 25 per cent, creating arrears.

As of January 2026, the U.S. has not paid its 2025 assessed contributions, resulting in significant arrears of approximately $1.5 billion, the largest of any member state.

However, the UN chief said that, despite the U.S. withdrawal, the UN would continue its work.

“As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all member states, including the United States.

“All United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given by member states. The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination,” Mr Guterres said.

(NAN)