UN chief 'regrets' US decision to withdraw from international organizations

ADDS REMARKS BY DUJARRIC

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday lamented the latest decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from 31 entities linked to the organization.

"The Secretary-General regrets the announcement by the White House regarding the United States' decision to withdraw from a number of United Nations entities," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The UN reaction came after the White House late Wednesday announced US President Donald Trump's signing of a "Presidential Memorandum" directing government agencies to withdraw from 66 international organizations that the administration argued are no longer serving American interests.

"As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States," Dujarric said.

Noting that "all United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given by Member States," the statement highlighted that the UN "has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us."

"We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination," it added.

Responding to a question on whether the US officially contacted or informed the UN about the decision to withdraw, Dujarric at a news conference said, "We have not received any further official communication beyond what was posted on the White House website yesterday."

When asked if Guterres was surprised by the decision, he said, "I think the secretary-general, in terms of what's going on in the world today, is beyond surprised."

"I think he's very clear-eyed. He continues to be very determined," Dujarric added.

The UN spokesperson emphasized that despite the US announcing it would withdraw and cut funding, it is still obligated under the UN Charter to contribute to the regular UN budget. "So, member states who signed, who've joined this club, have to pay the dues and there are assessed dues, and then there are voluntary dues," he said. "The Charter is not a la carte, as we said. And the Charter, you know, we're not going to renegotiate the Charter.”