The United States Department of State reports that the United States on July 22 informed UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay of the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Organization.
“Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States.
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 U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.
Continued U.S. participation in international organizations will focus on advancing American interests with clarity and conviction.
Pursuant to Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution, U.S. withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until that time,” says a statement released by the US Department of State.
Reuters reports that the withdrawal from the Paris-based agency, which was founded after World War Two to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, is in line with the Trump administration's broader "America-first" foreign policy, which includes a deep skepticism of multilateral groups, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the NATO alliance.
Meanwhile, a statement by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay says, “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.
However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it. In recent years, we have undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the US has been offset, so that it now represents 8% of the Organization's total budget compared to 40% for some United Nations entities; while at the same time, UNESCO’s overall budget has steadily increased. Today, the Organization is better protected in financial terms, with the steady support of a large number of Member States and private contributors. These voluntary contributions have doubled since 2018. At this stage, the Organization is not considering any layoffs. In spite of President Donald Trump's first withdrawal in 2017, UNESCO stepped up its efforts to take action wherever its mission could contribute to peace and demonstrated the pivotal nature of its mandate.”
Meanwhile, Israel has praised US exit from UNESCO. According to Al Jazeera, the Foreign Minister of Israel, Gideon Saar, wrote on social media, “This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicization in this arena,” Saar wrote. “Singling out Israel and politicization by member states must end, in this and all professional UN agencies.”
He reportedly thanked the US for its “moral support and leadership” and called on the UN to undertake “fundamental reforms”.
But UNESCO disputed the accusation that it had treated any of its members unfairly. “UNESCO’s purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and always will be welcome,” UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said.
