UN says the US has ‘legal obligation’ to fund agencies after Trump withdraws from several
January 8, 2026
The top United Nations official says the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund U.N. agencies after the White House announced that it’s withdrawing support from more than 30 initiatives operated by the world body. A spokesperson says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that he regretted President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from 31 U.N.-related agencies. That includes the U.N.’s population agency and the U.N. treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. U.N. officials say that despite the announcement, they will continue to do their work because they have “a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us.”