UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Washington/Paris: The United States today announced withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), marking its third exit from the agency since its founding. The U.S. State Department notified UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, stating that continued participation is not in the national interest.
The decision, effective December 31, 2026, per UNESCO’s Constitution, cites UNESCO’s promotion of divisive social and cultural causes, its focus on the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, deemed a globalist agenda conflicting with U.S. policy, and its 2011 admission of Palestine as a member state, which the U.S. views as problematic and contributing to anti-Israel rhetoric.
The U.S. will remain a full member until the withdrawal date. UNESCO’s Azoulay stated the financial impact would be minimal, as the U.S. contributes approximately $75 million, or 8% of UNESCO’s budget, in 2025, a share reduced from its historical 22–25% due to diversified funding. “However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it,” Azoulay said.
With 194 Member States, UNESCO contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people.
UNESCO anticipates no layoffs and expects its programmes, including World Heritage preservation, Holocaust education, and initiatives in conflict zones like Ukraine, to continue, though U.S. partners seeking World Heritage or Creative City status may face challenges. French President Emmanuel Macron criticised the decision, reaffirming support for UNESCO’s multilateral mission, while Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar endorsed it, citing persistent anti-Israel bias.
Historically, the U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO twice before. In 1984, under President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. exited, effective December 31, 1984, due to concerns over politicisation, mismanagement, and Soviet influence. The withdrawal, when the U.S. funded 25% of UNESCO’s $70 million annual budget, caused significant financial strain, prompting reforms and contributing to the subsequent withdrawals of the United Kingdom and Singapore in 1986. The U.S. rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, citing improved management. The second withdrawal, announced in 2017 under President Donald Trump and effective as of December 31, 2018, followed UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine, which had triggered U.S. funding cuts in 2011 due to legislation prohibiting contributions to U.N. agencies that recognise Palestine. By 2017, U.S. arrears reached $600 million, but UNESCO adapted with alternative funding, minimising the financial impact. Programmes continued, and UNESCO addressed some concerns by launching initiatives such as a Holocaust education website and guidelines against anti-Semitism. The 2017 exit, alongside Israel’s, underscored tensions over Palestinian heritage site designations, such as Hebron in 2017, though UNESCO reported reduced politicisation by 2018.
“The reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the Organization are the same as seven years ago, even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism,” Azaoulay said, adding, “These claims also contradict the reality of UNESCO’s efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.” The Director-General asserted that UNESCO is the only United Nations agency responsible for these issues, and pointed out that its work has been unanimously acclaimed by major specialised organisations such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC, the World Jewish Congress and its American Section, and the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
The 2025 withdrawal reflects recurring U.S. concerns about UNESCO’s priorities and governance. The 1984 exit led to significant reforms, while the 2017 withdrawal had limited operational impact due to prior funding adjustments. The 2025 decision is expected to have a similarly muted effect, given UNESCO’s financial diversification. However, it reinforces U.S. scepticism toward multilateral institutions under the current administration. The U.S. rejoined UNESCO in 2023 under President Joe Biden, committing to repay $619 million in arrears, but the latest announcement signals a shift in policy. UNESCO’s ongoing work in education, cultural preservation, and science is expected to persist, supported by contributions from other member states and private entities, though diplomatic tensions, particularly regarding Palestine’s status, remain a challenge.
– global bihari bureau
