Why is it in the news?
→ The US withdrew from 66 international organisations (including 31 UN bodies) under the “America First” approach.
→ This has raised concerns over climate governance, finance, and geopolitical balance.
Category: IR
Important Points
- The US exited 66 international organisations, including 31 UN bodies.
- Similar exits occurred earlier (e.g., UNESCO in 2017), creating a 22% funding gap then.
- Withdrawal from UNFCCC removes the largest cumulative emitter (~24% historical CO₂) from formal COP rule-shaping.
- US share of global CO₂ emissions in 2024: ~12.7%.
- Adaptation finance gap estimated at USD 310–365 billion annually.
- China has increased representation in UN bodies like ITU, FAO, ICAO, creating a strategic vacuum.
- Reduced US participation weakens climate finance mechanisms like GCF and GEF.
- Risk of increased climate-induced migration affecting up to 200 million people by 2050.
- US exits correlate with aid cuts (e.g., UNFPA defunding in 2017).
- India advised to strengthen ISA, CDRI, diversify climate finance, accelerate NGHM 2023, CCTS, and green-tech self-reliance.