The United States has ordered its withdrawal from dozens of international organizations, including several that shape global maritime policy, ocean governance, and shipping regulation.
President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to end U.S. participation and funding. The decision follows a review under Executive Order 14199 by the Secretary of State and the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
The order affects multiple non-UN organizations tied to shipping, climate, and maritime security. These include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the International Tropical Timber Organization. The United States will also exit the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
Several UN bodies with direct relevance to maritime affairs are also included. They include UN Oceans, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Conference on Trade and Development, and UN Water. The withdrawal also covers regional ECOSOC commissions that influence trade flows, port development, and maritime connectivity.
For UN entities, agencies must end participation or funding where legally permitted. The administration said the review remains ongoing and could lead to further withdrawals.
The move marks a major shift in U.S. engagement with international frameworks that influence shipping, environmental regulation, and global maritime cooperation. The Secretary of State will issue implementation guidance and publish the memorandum in the Federal Register.
