President Trump has pulled the US out of UN cultural agency UNESCO for the second time. The move, a blow to Paris-based agency, founded after World War II to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, will take effect in December 2026.
The State Department accused UNESCO of supporting “a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy”. It said its decision to admit the Palestinians as a member state was “highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric.” In 2011, UNESCO voted to admit Palestine, which is not formally recognized by the US or Israel as a UN member state.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, is best known for designating world heritage sites. It has a large cultural and education program to promote intercultural dialogue. The US provides 8% of UNESCO’s budget.
The US was a founding member of UNESCO in 1945. It first withdrew in 1983 under Ronald Reagan and re-joined in 2003 under George W Bush. Trump pulled the US out in 2017 citing, “…mounting arrears, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias.” The US returned to UNESCO in 2023 under Biden who said it was crucial to re-join in order to counter ‘Chinese influence”.
In February, the White House had announced a 90-day review of the US membership of UNESCO saying the global body had “demonstrated failure to reform itself…”
Audrey Azoulay, the DG of UNESCO said: “However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated and Unesco had prepared for it…Unesco was not considering cutting jobs due to the US departure.”
Will the departure of the US from UNESCO lead to more cultural fragmentation and/or the rise of Chinese influence? Views would be welcome.
