What the US withdrawal from UN bodies could mean for climate, trade and development

When UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric briefed correspondents in New York on Thursday following the release of the White House Memorandum, he insisted that the Organisation will continue to carry out its mandates from Member States “with determination.”

Wednesday’s memorandum states that the US administration is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.” 

Several of the bodies listed in the memo are funded principally or partially by the regular UN budget, implying that voluntary funding will be impacted, although central funding will continue.

However, the White House notes that its funding review of international organisations “remains ongoing,” and it is currently unclear what the impact of the announcement will be. 

Here’s a breakdown of the 31 UN entities mentioned in the memorandum, and how they are making a positive difference to people, communities and nations, worldwide.

African affairs

Climate and Environment

Coordination

Development

• UN Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat): Promotes sustainable towns and cities and provides technical and policy advice for the improvement of living conditions and the reduction of urban poverty

Education and training

• UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): Provides training and capacity-building for individuals, organisations, and countries (especially developing nations) on areas like diplomacy, sustainable development, climate change and crisis management
• UN System Staff College: Equips UN personnel with learning, training and advisory services to ensure a capable, adaptable and collaborative UN workforce
• UN University: The UN’s global think tank and postgraduate teaching organisation conducts research and provides policy advice on pressing global issues
• Education Cannot Wait: The UN global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises, to ensure that children and youth affected by conflict, displacement, and disasters have access to safe, quality education

Gender

Health

• UN Population Fund (UNFPA): Promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, promotes gender equality and collates population data for development, helping to reduce maternal mortality and expand access to family planning

International Law

• International Law Commission: Mandates the development and codification of international law by drafting legal instruments and clarifying principles; fostering the rule of law, and supporting peaceful relations among states
• International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals: Carries out essential functions of the former International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, completing ongoing cases, protecting witnesses and preserving archives, ensuring accountability for serious international crimes

Reducing conflict and violence

Trade and the Economy

• Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Generates and analyses economic, social and environmental data, helping nations to address pressing development challenges
• Economic Commissions for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific and Western Asia: These regional commissions provide policy guidance, facilitate intergovernmental dialogue and build capacity for sustainable and inclusive development
• International Trade Centre: Empowers small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transitioning economies through trade and market intelligence, technical assistance and capacity building
• UN Conference on Trade and Development: Helps developing countries to integrate into the global economy by providing research, policy analysis, and technical assistance on trade, investment, finance, and technology