Kingston, Jamaica — 9 January 2026
The United States has announced its withdrawal from 66 international organisations, many of them affiliated with the United Nations and active in areas such as climate policy, development, housing, and social programmes. While the decision does not directly involve Jamaica, it represents a significant shift in the global policy environment that has historically shaped development support for small island states.
The announcement, made this week by the Trump administration, constitutes one of the largest reductions in U.S. participation in multilateral institutions in recent decades. The organisations affected span climate science, urban development, migration, energy, and economic cooperation. Jamaica is not a member of several of these bodies, nor does it rely on them exclusively. However, their work has contributed to international standards, funding mechanisms, and technical coordination that influence development practices globally.
