By Abdullahi Lukman
The United States has officially informed the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, with the formal exit scheduled for January 27, 2026.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the notification during a press briefing on January 28, 2025, marking a significant shift in the country’s stance on climate change.
The Paris Climate Agreement, signed by 193 countries in December 2015, is a global pact aimed at limiting the rise in global temperatures to below 2°C, with a more ambitious target of 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
The U.S. originally joined the agreement in April 2016 under the Obama administration.
However, during the tenure of former President Donald Trump, the U.S. formally withdrew from the accord on November 4, 2020.
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. rejoined the agreement on February 19, 2021, signaling a renewed commitment to global climate action.
The latest decision to pull out comes as the U.S. signals a shift in policy, marking a reversal of its position on international climate cooperation.
However, despite this setback, Dujarric assured the international community that the UN’s climate change efforts would continue unabated.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to supporting all effective efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Dujarric stated, adding that the UN would remain focused on delivering on the goals set by the agreement.
Dujarric also noted that the global community’s work towards the accord’s goals would not be hindered by the U.S. withdrawal.
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Countries and organizations around the world remain dedicated to mitigating climate change, with increasing efforts to meet the long-term targets of the agreement, regardless of the U.S.’s decision.
In a related development, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning on January 28 regarding the escalating threat of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which currently affect over one billion people worldwide.
These diseases, including Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, chikungunya, and dracunculiasis, continue to impact the most vulnerable populations, often exacerbated by poverty and poor living conditions.
The WHO highlighted that global warming is increasingly contributing to the spread of these diseases, as changes in temperature and rainfall patterns create favorable conditions for the vectors that transmit these infections.
The WHO’s appeal for increased action comes ahead of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day on January 30, 2025, a global awareness day dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by these diseases.
Each year, the WHO reports that around 800 to 900 million people receive treatment for at least one neglected tropical disease, though progress in tackling these illnesses has been slow due to limited investment and ongoing conflicts in affected regions.
Despite the challenges, the WHO pointed to positive progress, noting that 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
The organization has set an ambitious goal for 100 countries to have eliminated at least one NTD by 2030.
However, the WHO warned that progress would require a coordinated effort involving increased funding, political commitment, and improved healthcare systems.
These developments come as the global community grapples with multiple interconnected crises, from climate change and environmental degradation to public health and food security.
While the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement marks a setback in the fight against climate change, the international community’s resolve to address both climate challenges and public health threats, including neglected tropical diseases, remains steadfast.
The WHO’s call for increased action against NTDs also underscores the growing recognition of the links between climate change, public health, and sustainable development.
