US Announces Withdrawal From UN Cultural Agency UNESCO
The United States announced it will withdraw from UNESCO for the third time, effective December 2026, reversing its decision to rejoin just two years ago. The Trump administration cited the UN agency's perceived anti-Israel bias and promotion of "woke, divisive cultural and social causes" as the primary reasons. The move marks a significant shift in US foreign policy and is expected to impact UNESCO's funding and global standing, as the US was a major contributor to its budget.
Unpacked:
The U.S. has previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 1984 under Reagan, citing overpoliticization and poor management, and again in 2017 under Trump, citing anti-Israel bias and need for reform. Each withdrawal reflected concerns about UNESCO's alignment with U.S. interests and management practices.
The U.S. has been a major financial contributor to UNESCO. Its withdrawal is expected to significantly impact UNESCO's budget, potentially affecting programs related to heritage site preservation, education, science, and global standard-setting efforts.
The U.S. has objected to UNESCO resolutions that it views as politically biased against Israel, such as those questioning Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and sites considered significant to Jewish heritage, prompting claims of anti-Israel bias.
U.S. World Heritage sites will remain on the UNESCO list, but the U.S. may lose voting rights and influence in decision-making. Funding for site preservation and participation in UNESCO-led initiatives may also decrease.