The US is slated to quit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The move comes as US President, Donald Trump continues to pull the country out of international institutions and makes ending Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs a key focus of his administration.
White House Deputy Spokesperson, Anna Kelly said in a statement that Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO “— which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the common sense policies that Americans voted for in November.”
In a statement, State Department Spokesperson, Tammy Bruce added that the US’ continued participation in UNESCO is not in its “national interest.” The withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026.
Bruce alleged that UNESCO works to advance “divisive” social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, “a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy.”
“UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.”
Tammy Bruce
In February, the White House announced a 90-day review of the US membership of UNESCO, saying in a statement that the global body had “demonstrated failure to reform itself, has continually demonstrated anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade, and has failed to address concerns over mounting arrears.”
The United States was a founding member of UNESCO in 1945, but this latest departure will be the third time it has quit.
US first withdrew in 1984, citing concerns over financial mismanagement and a perceived bias against US interests.
Nearly two decades later, in 2003, the US rejoined the organization during President George W. Bush’s administration, with Bush stating that UNESCO had implemented important reforms.
The US again withdrew from UNESCO during the first Trump administration His administration cited what it called “mounting arrears, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias.”
The US returned to UNESCO in 2023 under Joe Biden. The Biden administration said that it was crucial to rejoin in order to counter “Chinese influence.”
Beijing had become the organisation’s biggest financial backer in Washington’s absence. As a condition of readmission, the US agreed to pay about $619m in unpaid dues and make contributions to programmes supporting education access initiatives in Africa, Holocaust remembrance and journalists’ safety.
The US decision to withdraw from the Un agency was hailed by Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, who called it “a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system.”
US Withdraw From UNESCO Anticipated
Audrey Azoulay, the Director General of Unesco, said, “However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated and Unesco has prepared for it.” Azoulay said that she “deeply” regretted Trump’s decision to leave.
“This decision contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism, and may affect first and foremost our many partners in the United States of America — communities seeking site inscription on the World Heritage List, Creative City status, and University Chairs.”
Audrey Azoulay
She said that the reasons given by the US for leaving were the same as during Trump’s first term, and she disputed them. “These claims contradict the reality of UNESCO’s efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism,” she stressed.
Azoulay said that UNESCO had undertaken structural reforms and diversified its funding sources, so “the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the US has been offset.” She added that UNESCO was not considering cutting jobs due to the US departure.
Trump’s decision on UNESCO is part of his second-term drive to pull the US out of a series of global bodies, including leaving the World Health Organization (WHO), halting funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA and withdrawing from the UN human rights council, as part of a review of US participation in UN agencies.
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