US: Antonio Guterres laments the exit from UN organizations

US: Antonio Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, expressed sadness at the United States’ decision to withdraw from several UN organizations.

Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, said in a statement that “The Secretary-General regrets the announcement by the White House regarding the United States’ decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities.”Assessed payments to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as agreed by the General Assembly, are a legal responsibility under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States, as we have repeatedly emphasized,” the statement said.

All UN agencies would proceed “with determination” to carry out their duties as directed by Member States, according to the statement.

It also said that the United Nations would continue to carry out its missions with determination and that it has a duty to provide for those who rely on it.

The withdrawal from 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties that his administration has deemed to be “contrary to the interests of the United States” is mandated by a Presidential Memorandum signed by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

The White House claims that of the 66 organizations, 31 are United Nations institutions and 35 are non-UN organizations.

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs, International Law Commission, International Trade Center, Peacebuilding Commission, UN Energy, UN Population Fund, and UN Water are among the important UN agencies from which the United States has withdrew.

The action was taken about a year after the Trump administration said in January 2025 that it was leaving the World Health Organization (WHO), citing poor handling of the COVID-19 epidemic. In July 2025, the United States also withdrew from UNESCO, claiming that there was no “national interest” in the organization.