Trump withdraws US from IRENA, climate change orgs
- Özcan Berk Atakan
- Jan 8
- 1 min read
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a memorandum to withdraw the country from 66 international organisations, including the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and other renewables and climate change-focused entities.
The memorandum directs all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawal of the US from the listed organisations as soon as possible.
Trump states in the document that “it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support” to those organisations.
In addition to IRENA, the list includes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; the International Solar Alliance; the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century; and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The memorandum notes that in the case of UN entities, “withdrawal means ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.”
In a separate statement, IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera expressed his regret and said that “[t]he door for continued cooperation remains open.”
REN21, a renewable energy-focused policy network and multi-stakeholder governance group also affected by the US exit, called the decision “unfortunate” but stressed that the “transition to renewable energy is unstoppable, and international cooperation remains its greatest accelerator.” It left the door open for a renewal of dialogue with the US, too.
