United States President Donald J. Trump has directed a sweeping pullback from dozens of international and United Nations–linked organisations, a decision that analysts warn could significantly affect Ghana and other developing countries that rely on global cooperation, funding and technical support.

The directive, contained in a memorandum dated January 7, 2026, instructs all US executive departments and agencies to immediately begin withdrawing from, or suspending funding to, selected international organisations judged to be “inconsistent with the interests of the United States.”

The move follows an Executive Order issued in February 2025 that mandated a comprehensive review of all international organisations, treaties and conventions to which the US belongs or provides financial contributions. That review was conducted by the US Secretary of State in consultation with the US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Based on the findings, a list of organisations was identified as misaligned with US national priorities. After consultations with his Cabinet, President Trump approved a full withdrawal from, or termination of participation and funding to, the listed bodies, subject to domestic legal requirements.

Non-UN organisations targeted


The memorandum names 35 non-United Nations organisations from which the US is to withdraw. These bodies operate across a wide range of sectors, including climate change, renewable energy, democracy and governance, cybersecurity, migration, culture, counterterrorism and environmental protection.

The affected organisations include:


  1. 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact

  2. Colombo Plan Council

  3. Commission for Environmental Cooperation

  4. Education Cannot Wait

  5. European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats

  6. Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories

  7. Freedom Online Coalition

  8. Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund

  9. Global Counterterrorism Forum

  10. Global Forum on Cyber Expertise

  11. Global Forum on Migration and Development

  12. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research

  13. Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development

  14. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

  15. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

  16. International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property

  17. International Cotton Advisory Committee

  18. International Development Law Organization

  19. International Energy Forum

  20. International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies

  21. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

  22. International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law

  23. International Lead and Zinc Study Group

  24. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

  25. International Solar Alliance

  26. International Tropical Timber Organization

  27. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

  28. Pan American Institute of Geography and History

  29. Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation

  30. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia

  31. Regional Cooperation Council

  32. Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century

  33. Science and Technology Center in Ukraine

  34. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

  35. Venice Commission of the Council of Europe

UN agencies and programmes affected


In addition to the non-UN bodies, the memorandum orders the US to cease participation in or funding for 31 United Nations entities, including several with direct relevance to Africa and developing economies.

These include:


  1. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

  2. ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

  3. ECOSOC – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

  4. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

  5. ECOSOC – Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

  6. International Law Commission

  7. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals

  8. International Trade Centre

  9. Office of the Special Adviser on Africa

  10. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict

  11. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

  12. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children

  13. Peacebuilding Commission

  14. Peacebuilding Fund

  15. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

  16. UN Alliance of Civilizations

  17. UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)

  18. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

  19. UN Democracy Fund

  20. UN Energy

  21. UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)

  22. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

  23. UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

  24. UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

  25. UN Oceans

  26. UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

  27. UN Register of Conventional Arms

  28. UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination

  29. UN System Staff College

  30. UN Water

  31. UN University

For UN-related bodies, the memorandum clarifies that the withdrawal will be implemented by ending US participation or funding “to the extent permitted by law.”

What it means for Ghana


The decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for Ghana and other developing nations. Several of the affected agencies — including the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UNCTAD, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UN Women, the Peacebuilding Fund and climate-focused institutions such as the UNFCCC and IPCC — play crucial roles in policy formulation, technical assistance, capacity building and funding mobilisation in Ghana.

A reduction in US funding and engagement could slow the implementation of key development programmes, constrain climate financing, weaken peacebuilding efforts and limit support for urban development, gender equality and population health initiatives.

Policy analysts suggest that Ghana may need to explore alternative funding streams, strengthen South–South cooperation and deepen partnerships with the European Union, China and multilateral development banks to cushion the potential fallout.

While the long-term impact will depend on how other donors respond, the move signals a major shift in global multilateral engagement — one that could reshape development cooperation frameworks affecting Ghana for years to come.