INDOPOSCO.ID – Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from a number of UN entities, while stressing that the UN system will continue to carry out all of its mandates.
“As we have consistently emphasized, assessed contributions to the UN regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, constitute a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” according to a statement released by the UN spokesperson on Thursday (January 8, 2026).
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum instructing US executive departments and agencies to immediately withdraw from dozens of international organizations, conventions, and agreements deemed by Washington to be contrary to US interests.
According to the memorandum, the decision affects 31 UN bodies and entities.
Despite the announcement, Secretary-General Guterres underscored that the work of the Organization will continue. “All UN entities will continue to implement their mandates as entrusted by Member States,” he said.
“The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us. We will continue to carry out our mandates with full determination.”
Under the UN Charter, assessed contributions to the Organization’s regular budget and peacekeeping budget are approved by the General Assembly and are considered binding obligations for all Member States, as reported by Antara.
For 2026, the General Assembly approved a regular budget of US$3.45 billion (around Rp58 trillion), a sharp decline from previous years, including a 15 percent reduction in financial resources and a nearly 19 percent cut in staff numbers. (aro)
