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Trump signs executive order to withdraw U.S. from multiple UN bodies

CGTN

 , Updated 09:34, 05-Feb-2025
U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a newly signed executive order withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2025. /VCG
U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a newly signed executive order withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2025. /VCG

U.S. President Donald Trump holds up a newly signed executive order withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2025. /VCG

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the U.S. engagement with the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, extended a halt to funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and ordered a review of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"It's got great potential and based on the potential we'll continue to go along with it, but they got to get their act together," Trump told reporters. "It's not being well run, to be honest and they're not doing the job."

"A lot of these conflicts that we're working on should be settled, or at least we should have some help in settling them. We never seem to get help. That should be the primary purpose of the United Nations," Trump said.

The UN pushed back against Trump's remarks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "has worked tirelessly to implement many reforms ... to increase efficiency and innovation," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"U.S. support for the United Nations has saved countless lives and advanced global security," Dujarric said. "The secretary-general looks forward to continuing his productive relationship with President Trump and the U.S. government to strengthen that relationship in today's turbulent world."

The 15-member UN Security Council, of which the U.S. is one of five permanent members, is charged with maintaining international peace and security.

Trump said he was not looking to take away money from the 193-member world body, though he complained that Washington had to pay a disproportionate amount.

(With input from Reuters)

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