On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a series of actions involving the United Nations, including the halting of US engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, the extension of funding suspension for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, and an order for a review of the UN cultural agency UNESCO.
Trump criticized the UN as "not being well run," while acknowledging its potential. He stated that the UN should prioritize conflict resolution and that the US has not received sufficient assistance in this regard.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, responded by highlighting the ongoing reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and innovation within the organization. He emphasized the significant contributions of US support to the UN, stating that it has saved countless lives and advanced global security.
Trump's decision to halt funding for UNRWA, which provides aid, health, and education services to millions of Palestinians, is a continuation of a policy he implemented during his first term. The move coincides with a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long been critical of UNRWA.
The US was UNRWA's largest donor, providing $300 million to $400 million annually. However, funding was paused in January 2024 after Israel accused UNRWA staff of involvement in a deadly attack by Hamas in October 2023. The US Congress subsequently suspended contributions to UNRWA until at least March 2025.
Trump's executive order also calls for a review of international organizations, conventions, or treaties that "promote radical or anti-American sentiment." The review will begin with UNESCO, which the US has previously accused of anti-Israel bias. The US withdrew from UNESCO in 2017 and has withheld funding since 2011.