Action Alert - Rejoin International Systems and Pay UN Dues

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.” Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord”

Rejoin International Systems and Pay UN Dues

On January 7th, 2026, a Presidential Memorandum was issued, “Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States,” which directed all executive agencies and departments to fully withdraw funding and support from 66 international organizations, including 31 UN organizations. Among the 66 organizations listed are the International Law Commission, the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Democracy Fund. The U.S. Secretary of State  defended the President’s decision, arguing that these organizations use American dollars to support foreign agendas including “DEI mandates,” “‘gender equity’ campaigns,” and “climate orthodoxy.” However, these organizations make up part of the vital Non-Governmental Organization framework which helps protect the climate, uphold human rights, and encourage peacemaking—efforts which serve American citizens just as much as citizens of other nations. The Administration’s actions continue the dismantling of multinational cooperation and rule-based order that was established after World War II with the creation of the United Nations to prevent conflict and uphold universal rights.  In January 2026, under the current Administration, the United States officially withdrew for a second time from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. It also withdrew from the Human Rights Council.  In July 2025, the Trump Administration shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), canceling over 80% of its contracts and effectively cutting nearly all US foreign assistance. The America First policy of the Administration has been characterized by general opposition to multilateral cooperation and a prioritization of US  military power and “might makes right” approach over international peacebuilding efforts. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has affirmed its support for the United Nations and international cooperation and organizations many times, most recently at the 224th General Assembly (2022) adopting the recommendation “On Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.” Recommendations from the overture include advocating with the US government to “foster peacemaking through multilateral diplomacy rather than unilateral force and to “assure its financial obligations to the United Nations are adequately and promptly met. The denomination has also made strong statements in favor of international peacemaking, including in the 1980 document, Peacemaking: The Believer’s Calling which states, “Instead of concentrating exclusively on interest, security, and power, Christians should move, and urge the nation to move, to consideration of justice, freedom, and compassionate order.” (p. 24).  While the current international system may be imperfect, funding cuts to international organizations threaten the vitality of the delicate international framework which helps work towards a more peaceful, just, equitable, and green future for all people, including Americans because we are interconnected. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, the Apostle Paul likens the church to the human body. Just as the body cannot function if its heart and lungs cease to cooperate, and the church cannot thrive without the full participation and gifts of all her members, the international system cannot function if individual members refuse to participate. As Presbyterians, we must stand in solidarity with our siblings around the world and be firmly rooted in our commitments to international peacemaking and cooperation.   Learn, Act, and Pray: Start a book and/or study group at your church to learn more about the PC(U.S.A.) and the global Church’s commitments to peacemaking. One recommended resource is the 1980 document, Peacemaking: The Believer’s Calling. Contact the Administration and Federal Agencies to express your opposition to the United States’ withdrawal from the 66 international organizations and to fulfill their financial obligations to the United Nations Pray for the future of the United Nations and a restored global commitment to multilateral peacemaking

Rejoin International Systems and Pay UN Dues