The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has expressed regret over the decision by the United States to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities, stressing that assessed financial contributions to the organisation are a legal obligation for all member states.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General expressed regret over the White House’s announcement on the decision.
“The Secretary-General regrets the announcement by the White House regarding the United States’ decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities,” the statement read.
The UN chief emphasised that funding commitments approved by the General Assembly are binding under international law.
“As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” the statement said.
Guterres also said the organisation would continue to function despite the decision, noting that UN agencies would press ahead with their responsibilities.
“All United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given by Member States,” he said.
Reaffirming the UN’s role globally, the Secretary-General added, “The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination.”
The same position was echoed on the UN’s official X page, which stated, “António Guterres regrets the announcement regarding the United States’ decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities. The UN has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination.”
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reported that President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, describing the move as one of the most extensive rollbacks of US participation in multilateral institutions in modern history.
According to the report, a White House Fact Sheet released on January 7, 2026, said Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal from organisations that “no longer serve American interests.”
The directive reportedly instructs all executive departments and agencies to stop participating in and funding 35 non-UN organisations and 31 United Nations entities said to operate “contrary to US national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty.”
