Hey fam! On Jan 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order cutting funding for 66 international organizations that tackle everything from climate change and renewable energy to migration, labor and cybersecurity. 🌍❌
This isn’t just a small tweak. It means pausing support for key UN-aligned bodies like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its scientific arm, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), plus global clean-energy hubs like the International Solar Alliance and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ⚡️☀️
Why should South and Southeast Asia care? Regions like ours rely on these groups for climate data, tech standards and funding frameworks—think solar farms in Rajasthan, coastal-resilience projects in Vietnam, or smart grids in Singapore. Losing US backing could slow down efforts to tackle rising temperatures, shifting monsoons and green-tech innovation. 🌱💡
These bodies aren’t just talk shops. They set the rules for carbon accounting, coordinate disaster-early warning systems and share research that helps governments and startups make smarter choices. Walking away signals a preference for unilateral action over joint problem-solving. 🤝🔍
The bigger question: will other players—like the EU, India and ASEAN—step in to fill the gap? And could new alliances emerge to redefine how we collaborate on climate, tech and human rights? Stay tuned as the global landscape adapts to this shake-up. 🤔🌏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
