USA Announces Withdrawal from UNESCO

The United States has once again announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The U.S. State Department issued a statement mirroring the reasons cited in 2017 when the country previously exited the organization.

The statement said that the U.S. informed UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay about the decision, emphasizing that continued participation does not serve America's national interests. It criticized UNESCO for promoting divisive social and cultural objectives and focusing too heavily on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which contradict the "America First" foreign policy.

Palestine Recognition Sparks Dispute

The primary reason cited was UNESCO's 2011 decision to recognize Palestine as a member state, which the U.S. opposes. The U.S. had already suspended funding to UNESCO following this move, claiming it fueled anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.

UNESCO's Response

Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision, which will take effect at the end of December 2026. She emphasized that this move contradicts the principles of multilateralism and could impact U.S. communities aspiring to be recognized as creative cities or World Heritage sites.

UNESCO noted that it had anticipated the withdrawal and taken measures to diversify its funding sources. Since 2018, U.S. contributions have fallen to just 8% of the total budget, and the organization has doubled its voluntary contributions from member states.

Previous Exit Under Trump

The U.S. had previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 2017 under the Trump administration, with the exit becoming official on December 31, 2018. This latest move reaffirms the longstanding tensions between the U.S. and the cultural body, despite America being one of UNESCO’s founding members.