America Exits UNESCO Again, Signaling Shift from Global Partnerships
U.S. Confirms Exit from UNESCO, Signaling Continued Shift Away from Global Institutions
In a decisive move on Tuesday, the United States government announced its plan to officially withdraw from UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency. This decision, effective at the end of next year, continues the Trump-era trend of reducing America’s engagement with international bodies.
The U.S. State Department framed the withdrawal as a strategic step aligned with the country’s “America First” agenda, emphasizing skepticism toward multilateral organizations. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce criticized UNESCO for advancing what she described as “polarizing social and cultural initiatives” and placing excessive emphasis on the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals — policies viewed as conflicting with U.S. national priorities.
The withdrawal follows earlier U.S. pullouts from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council under former President Trump. Although the U.S. had stopped funding UNESCO after its controversial 2011 decision to recognize Palestine as a full member, the Biden administration rejoined the agency in 2023, citing concerns about strategic influence, particularly from China, filling the void left by America.
UNESCO is widely recognized for its stewardship of over 1,200 World Heritage Sites globally — iconic landmarks like Syria’s Palmyra ruins, Jordan’s Petra, and several U.S. national parks. The organization also safeguards intangible cultural heritage, celebrating global traditions such as French baking and Italian opera.
Despite the U.S. exit, UNESCO leadership downplayed the financial impact, noting that America now contributes roughly 8% of its budget, supplemented heavily by voluntary donations from other nations and private partners. Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized that the organization has adapted financially and operationally to withstand such changes without program cuts or staff reductions.
UNESCO’s scope extends beyond heritage preservation, supporting initiatives in education, gender equality, water sanitation, and ethical guidelines for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. The State Department’s spokesperson reiterated concerns over what it perceives as ongoing anti-Israel bias within UNESCO’s activities, a longstanding source of tension.
UNESCO, however, maintained that this departure undermines global efforts to depoliticize cultural heritage issues and hampers programs aimed at Holocaust education and combating antisemitism.
