Following the release of the White House Memorandum, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reaffirmed that the Organization will continue to carry out its mandates from Member States “with determination.” The memorandum, issued by the US administration, states that the country is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.” While several of the UN bodies affected rely on voluntary US contributions, core funding from the UN budget will continue, leaving some uncertainty about the precise impact of the announcement.
The memorandum lists 31 UN entities, many of which play critical roles across climate, trade, development, and humanitarian efforts worldwide. In African affairs, the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa provides strategic guidance to ensure UN actions align with local needs, while the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent works to improve safety, quality of life, and development for people of African descent.
In climate and environmental initiatives, programs such as UN-REDD offer technical assistance and financing for sustainable forest management, and UN Energy coordinates efforts across multiple agencies to expand access to reliable and sustainable energy. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) facilitates global cooperation through annual climate summits, and UN Oceans and UN Water support sustainable management of marine and freshwater resources.
The UN’s coordination and development arms also play vital roles. The UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination brings agency heads together to ensure unified responses to global challenges, while UN Habitat promotes sustainable urban development. Education and training programs such as UNITAR, the UN System Staff College, UN University, and Education Cannot Wait provide capacity-building, research, and access to education, particularly in emergencies and protracted crises.
In gender and health, UN Women advances equality and empowerment of women globally, and UNFPA focuses on sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and population data to support development and reduce maternal mortality. International law and justice are supported by bodies like the International Law Commission and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which promote legal standards, accountability, and protection for victims of serious international crimes.
UN entities dedicated to reducing conflict and violence include offices focused on protecting children in armed conflict, addressing sexual violence, and preventing all forms of violence against children. Peacebuilding initiatives, such as the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and the UN Register of Conventional Arms, work to promote stability, dialogue, and responsible arms reporting to prevent conflict.
In trade and economic development, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs generates data and analysis to support sustainable development, while regional economic commissions provide policy guidance and intergovernmental coordination. The International Trade Centre and UN Conference on Trade and Development support developing countries and SMEs by facilitating integration into global markets, providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity-building opportunities.
Overall, these 31 UN entities demonstrate the wide-reaching impact of the UN system on climate action, trade, development, education, gender equality, health, peace, and security, highlighting the potential consequences of any reduction in US funding or participation.
