It may sound unusual, but there was once a country that withdrew from the United Nations (UN). Despite being the world’s most inclusive international body and a symbol of global legitimacy, history records that Indonesia took this rare step.
In 1965, Indonesia officially pulled out of the UN, becoming the only country in history ever to leave the organization.
Although the decision did not last long, it remains a fascinating chapter in global political history and raises the question: can a country really leave the UN?
The Trigger
The background of this decision cannot be separated from the geopolitical dynamics of the Cold War. At the time, Indonesia was caught in a difficult position between two superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union. President Sukarno, with his charismatic yet authoritarian style, sought to play a major role on the international stage.
The breaking point came when Malaysia was admitted as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 1965. For Sukarno, this was nothing less than a grave insult.
He denounced Malaysia as a “neo-colonial puppet” created by Britain that threatened regional security. With fiery passion, Sukarno delivered a speech on January 20, 1965, announcing Indonesia’s withdrawal from the UN while declaring his now-famous words: “To hell with your aid!”
A Suspended Status: Out, but Not Entirely Out
Interestingly, Indonesia’s withdrawal was never “officially” recognised in terms of international law. Although then-UN Secretary-General U Thant received Sukarno’s letter, he never formally removed Indonesia’s membership. Instead, Indonesia’s seat was simply left vacant.
This proved to be a wise move. Just a year later, the country's political landscape shifted dramatically following the 1965 coup attempt, which resulted in the establishment of a new military regime.
Desirous of international legitimacy, the new government swiftly dispatched a telegram on 19 September 1966, declaring its intention to “resume full cooperation” with the UN.
Then, on 28 September 1966, Indonesia returned to the UN General Assembly without the need for a complicated re-admission process, as if it had never really left in the first place.
The Legal Question: Can a Country Leave the UN?
Indonesia’s 1965 decision raised a profound question: can a country actually withdraw from the United Nations?
In reality, the UN Charter contains no article that provides a withdrawal mechanism. The only relevant clause is Article 6, which allows for the expulsion of a member that persistently violates UN principles. Yet, this article has never been invoked throughout history.
Some international law experts argue that state sovereignty grants nations the right to withdraw from international treaties, including the UN. Others contend that the UN is unlike ordinary organizations, meaning membership cannot be unilaterally revoked.
Indonesia’s case shows the issue was more political than legal. No member state challenged Indonesia’s move at the time. In fact, the UN’s official yearbook in 1965 listed Indonesia as no longer an active member. Yet, when Indonesia returned, it was not required to undergo the procedures for new membership.
So, did Indonesia truly withdraw or was it merely on an “extended leave”? The answer remains ambiguous to this day.
Other Cases: Leaving UN Specialized Agencies
While no country besides Indonesia has ever withdrawn from full UN membership, several states have left specific UN specialized agencies. The most prominent cases involve UNESCO and the WHO.
- United States
The U.S. has a long history of withdrawing from and rejoining UN agencies. It has pulled out of UNESCO multiple times, citing anti-Israel bias. After rejoining in 2003, the U.S. withdrew again in 2018, rejoined in 2023, and most recently announced another withdrawal, effective at the end of 2026.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. also initiated withdrawal from the WHO. The issue resurfaced in 2025 when a new administration signed off on a fresh decision to leave the global health organization.
- Nicaragua
In 2025, Nicaragua announced its intention to withdraw from UNESCO, effective by the end of 2026. The Ortega–Murillo government took this step after UNESCO awarded its press freedom prize to opposition newspaper La Prensa, which the regime denounced as “anti-patriotic” and an act of U.S. interference.
- Argentina
In early 2025, Argentina declared plans to withdraw from the WHO, citing disagreements over global health policy and the defense of national sovereignty in managing domestic health issues.
Losing the Right to Vote
Although Indonesia remains the only country to have ever withdrawn from the UN, there is another mechanism by which member states can be “penalized” or losing their voting rights.
Article 19 of the UN Charter stipulates that any country in arrears of its financial contributions for more than two years automatically loses its right to vote in the General Assembly. This rule applies regardless of the reason for non-payment, whether due to economic crisis or as a deliberate act of political protest.
Several countries have faced this situation, including the United States in 1998, when it fell behind on massive arrears. The U.S. narrowly avoided losing influence after tough negotiations succeeded in lowering its maximum contribution rate from 25% to 22%.
The consequences of losing voting rights are significant. While it does not affect a country’s status in the Security Council, it prevents that state from participating in critical decisions of the General Assembly, including the election of members to the UN’s principal bodies.
From Past to Present
Indonesia’s brief exit from the UN stands as one of the most unusual episodes in international politics. Though it lasted for only about a year, the event sparked long-standing debates over legality, sovereignty, and political realities within the world’s largest international organization.
It also demonstrates that political decisions often outweigh written rules. Indonesia did return to the UN, but its brief “time out” remains a unique historical precedent, one that no other country has repeated to this day.
