The United States has formally informed the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, with the move taking effect on January 27, 2026. The announcement was made by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a briefing on Tuesday in New York.
The historic Paris Climate Agreement, which was adopted by 193 countries in December 2015, aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The U.S. initially signed the agreement on April 22, 2016. However, during Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. withdrew from the accord on November 4, 2020. The Biden administration reversed this decision and rejoined the agreement on February 19, 2021.
Dujarric reassured the public that the U.S. withdrawal would not impede the global fight against climate change, stating, “We reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to support all effective efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
Despite the U.S. withdrawal, the international community remains dedicated to achieving the agreement’s objectives and combating the climate crisis.
UN’s Call for Urgent Action on Neglected Tropical Diseases Amid Global Warming
In a related matter, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent action to address neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect over a billion people worldwide, often causing severe health, social, and economic consequences. The WHO highlighted that global warming exacerbates the spread of these diseases, many of which thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Diseases such as Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, chikungunya, and dracunculiasis are common in regions plagued by poverty and lack of healthcare. The WHO stressed that addressing these diseases has been hindered by inadequate investment and ongoing conflicts.
Ahead of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day, the WHO reported that 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one NTD. The global health body has set a goal for 100 countries to achieve the same by 2030.
