Jakarta, INTI - A political analyst from Egypt stated that the United States' decision to withdraw from dozens of international organizations could harm developing countries and weaken the foundations of the modern international system.
The remarks were made by Abu-Baks Al-Desouky, international relations expert and editorial adviser to International Politics magazine at Egypt’s Al-Ahram Foundation, in an interview with Xinhua.
According to Al-Desouky, the U.S. withdrawal would have a direct impact by cutting critical funding for many international organizations that operate extensively in developing regions.
“The US withdrawal means these organizations will lose US funding, which will certainly affect the quality and scale of the activities they provide to developing countries,” he said.
66 International Organizations Targeted, Including UN Agencies
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum to withdraw the US membership from 66 international organizations.
Of that total, 31 are entities under the United Nations, while the remaining 35 are non-UN bodies.
The organizations the United States plans to exit span key sectors, including climate, labor, immigration, and energy.
Several organizations affected by the decisions include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Water, UN Energy, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The White House stated that many of these bodies are viewed as promoting radical climate policies and as being misaligned with US economic interests and national sovereignty.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the organizations are considered wasteful, ineffective, or even detrimental.
Systemic Impact on Developing Countries and the Global System
Al-Desouky assessed that the decision would not only affect funding, but would also damage the United States' reputation and credibility on the international stage.
“This is an action that runs counter to humanitarian principles and undermines the modern international organizational system that has supported the world for decades,” he said.
He also argued that the move would accelerate the decline of the United States global standing.
“This action has a negative impact on the global image of the United States. Washington’s image as a defender of freedom, liberal values, and human rights collapses in favor of flawed policies that fail to truly serve U.S. interests. Over time, these policies could end up harming the United States itself,” he said.
The move is described as a continuation of previous decisions, including the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Paris Climate Agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), as well as the suspension of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
According to Al-Desouky, the policy toward UNRWA is particularly damaging, as it removes the agency’s primary source of funding and undermines the United States’ role as a neutral mediator in the Israel–Palestine conflict.
Emergence of a New World Order and the Role of Developing Countries
Al-Desouky said the withdrawal would accelerate the shift of the global system toward multipolarity.
“In my view, this accelerates the end of the era of US hegemony and unipolarity,” he said.
He added that developing countries would now seek more credible global partners and strengthen the role of alternative organizations.
“This will enhance the role of alternative international organizations and reinforce the emergence of a new global framework within the international system,” he explained.
Al-Desouky noted that organizations led by China and Russia, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, are increasingly being positioned as alternatives to institutions that have traditionally been backed by the United States and Europe.
Conclusion
The United States' withdrawal from international organizations is seen as accelerating shifts in the global order, with significant consequences for developing countries and the credibility of the international system. As emerging powers and alternative institutions gain prominence, the move underscores a broader transition toward a more multipolar world.
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