United States Orders Withdrawal from 31 UN Agencies and Faces UN Criticism

On February 4, 2025 the United States issued Executive Order 14199 directing the country to withdraw from 31 United Nations organisations. The move follows criticism from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said, “If you’re telling me that the international community and hundreds of countries cannot rally behind that, then I don’t know what the utility of the UN system is.”

Opinion pieces argue that the United States should go further and exit the UN altogether, citing concerns about the UN’s handling of issues such as gender equity, financial management and alleged abuse. The articles reference the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Women commission, suggesting the UN has shifted away from its original principles.

Both pieces present the executive order and Rubio’s remarks as evidence that the US is reconsidering its relationship with the UN, urging a complete departure.