Biden signs 15 new executive orders, US rejoins Paris Agreement and WHO

US President Joe Biden signed 15 executive orders shortly after taking the oath of office on Wednesday, reversing a number of policies of his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.

Signing executive orders, memorandums, and directives in front of reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon, Biden said there was "no time to waste."

"Some of the executive orders I am signing today will help alleviate the COVID-19 crisis. We will combat climate change like we haven't before, promote racial equality, and support underserved communities. These are just starting points," Biden said.

His advisors said the orders signed by the new president include a mandatory mask-wearing policy in all federal institutions and for all federal employees, the establishment of a new White House office to coordinate the pandemic response, and halting the US withdrawal process from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Among the orders addressing immigration policy, Biden revoked Trump's declaration that allowed funding for the construction of a wall on the border with Mexico and ended the travel ban to the US for some Muslim-majority countries.

Yesterday's signing is just the beginning of a series of moves Biden will soon take, said his press secretary Jen Psaki.

"In the coming days and weeks, we will launch new actions to respond to challenges and fulfill the promises the new president has made to the American people," Psaki said. Biden is also expected to soon revoke decisions that ban transgender people from serving in the US military and lift the ban on US funding for international family planning programs related to abortion.

Rejoining the US to the Paris Agreement

Among other things, he signed an executive order initiating the process of the US rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, thereby revoking one of the key moves of his predecessor Donald Trump, agencies report.

Trump had long opposed the global climate agreement signed by almost all countries in the world, and in November 2020, the US formally withdrew from the pact. That US decision simultaneously marked a significant reduction in US funding for poorer countries to help them overcome the consequences of climate change, reports dpa.

On his first day in office, Biden also signed an order calling for a review of all Trump's decisions that eased environmental protection measures, an order revoking the permit for the Keystone pipeline project from Canada, and an order imposing a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the Arctic region, which the Trump administration had recently opened for development.

Biden also pledged to put the United States back on track to become climate-neutral in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

His mission to restore American climate credibility will not be easy, given the political divisions in the country, the pressure from oil companies, and the caution of international partners concerned about Trump's climate policy to date.

"We have strayed significantly from the path in the last four years with a climate denier in the Oval Office. We are entering the international arena with a credibility deficit," said John Podesta, an advisor to former President Barack Obama who participated in the creation of the Paris Climate Agreement, reports Reuters.

Biden's orders also call on government agencies to consider reducing methane emissions, amending fuel efficiency standards for motor vehicles, and the possibility of expanding natural reserves and national parks that the Trump administration had reduced.

Biden will discuss Iran with partners and allies

The United States will advocate for extending and strengthening Iran's nuclear deterrence through diplomacy, and this issue will be on the agenda in President Joe Biden's first talks with foreign partners and allies, the White House spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Biden had previously said that if Tehran continues to strictly adhere to the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers – under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief – Washington would also return to the deal from which Biden's predecessor Donald Trump withdrew.

"The President has made it clear that he believes that through diplomatic efforts, the United States will strive to extend and strengthen Iran's nuclear deterrence and address other issues of concern," said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

"We expect the President to hold talks with his foreign partners and allies soon, and this topic can be expected to be part of the discussions," Psaki added.

Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018, and Iran, in return, began to violate some of its provisions.