US targets diversity, equity, inclusion at United Nations : Michelle Nichols and Maya Gebeily / Reuters

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Summary:

The United States has warned U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, UN Women, and the World Food Programme (WFP), against focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and gender ideology. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump's broader efforts to eliminate DEI initiatives and "gender ideology" from federal government policies and discourage them in international organizations.

U.S. opposition was made clear at UNICEF’s executive board meeting, where it forced an unprecedented vote over routine documents, seeking to remove DEI references. Eritrea, speaking on behalf of eight African nations, defended DEI as essential for ensuring no child is left behind. U.S. diplomat Jonathan Shrier argued that DEI programs "replace hard work, merit, and equality" with a "dangerous preferential hierarchy."

Other U.N. organizations, such as WFP, advised staff to avoid controversial DEI-related language to avoid U.S. backlash. UN Women was also pressured to move away from what the U.S. called "radical causes."

The U.S. remains the largest donor to many of these agencies, with $1.4 billion to UNICEF, $4.4 billion to WFP, and $19 million to UN Women in recent years. The Trump administration’s stance puts U.N. funding at risk, prompting concerns about financial sustainability.

Quotes:

"America provides way too much funding to the U.N. and associated entities." — Elon Musk on X

"Ensure that no child is left behind." — Eritrea’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Amanuel Giorgio, defending DEI at UNICEF

"Please avoid controversial language including LGBTQI+ and SOGIESC terminology... Let's avoid combining diversity, equity, inclusion and/or accessibility in one statement or sentence." — WFP internal note advising staff on language use amid U.S. pressure

"Strives 'to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small'." — U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, citing the U.N. Charter in response to U.S. opposition