UNO”s Bodies/Non UNO Bodies : : Vaid ICS Institute

January 9, 2026

Why in the News? On January 7, 2026, President Trump signed a memorandum to exit 31 UN bodies and 35 non-UN organizations.

Climate Bedrock: The US is withdrawing from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1992 treaty that is the foundation for all global climate negotiations.
Scientific Exit: The US is also leaving the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific authority on climate change.
Solar Alliance: Notably, the US is exiting the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative launched and headquartered in India.

Key Points of the Withdrawal:

“America First” Rationale: The administration claims these organizations are “redundant,” “wasteful,” or contrary to US sovereignty and economic interests.
First Nation to Exit: The US becomes the first and only country to ever withdraw from the UNFCCC.
Funding Ceased: The directive includes an immediate halt to all US funding and participation in the listed entities to the extent permitted by law.
Targeted Sectors: While climate and energy (ISA, IRENA) are the primary targets, the list also includes bodies like UN Women and the UN Population Fund.

Finance Gap: The exit removes a vital source of climate finance for developing nations, potentially slowing down the global energy transition.
Leadership Vacuum: It weakens the “Umbrella Group” of developed nations and may shift global influence toward China, which remains a dominant player in clean energy.
Scientific Blind Spot: By leaving the IPCC, the US will no longer guide the scientific assessments used by governments to set global safety standards.
Economic Opportunity Cost: Critics argue the US will miss out on the $1 trillion clean-energy economy and the jobs it creates.

ISA Resilience: As the president of the International Solar Alliance, India has stated that the ISA will “stay the course” with its remaining 125 member nations despite the US exit.
Bilateral Strain: Analysts suggest this move could strain the India-US relationship, particularly in green energy cooperation.
Global Leadership Opportunity: Experts believe India should now take a greater leadership role to provide stability to global institutions and ensure climate action doesn’t stall.
Economic Growth: Despite global shifts, India’s economy is projected to be resilient, with 6.6% growth expected in 2026, supported by strong internal public investment.