UNITED NATIONS (AP) 鈥 The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will once again withdraw from the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO, an expected move that has the U.S. further retreating from international organizations.
The decision to pull U.S. funding and participation from UNESCO comes two years after the Biden administration rejoined following a controversial, five-year absence that began during President Donald Trump鈥檚 first term. The White House cited similar concerns as it did in 2018, saying it believes U.S. involvement is not in its national interest and .
The decision, which won't go into effect until December 2026, will deal a blow to an agency known for preserving cultural heritage through its 鈥 which recognizes significant landmarks for protection, ranging from the Taj Mahal to Egypt's pyramids of Giza and the Grand Canyon 好色tv Park. The agency also empowers education and science across the globe.
It is the Trump administration鈥檚 latest move to under a larger campaign to reshape U.S. diplomacy. Under the "America First" approach, the administration has and the top U.N. human rights body, while . This has left the U.N., which is in the process of its own massive overhaul, reevaluating core programs and initiatives and what the international body would look like without support from the U.S. 鈥 its largest donor.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement that the withdrawal was linked to UNESCO鈥檚 perceived agenda to 鈥渁dvance divisive social and cultural causes.鈥
She added that UNESCO鈥檚 decision in 2011 鈥渢o admit the 鈥楽tate of Palestine鈥 as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.鈥
UNESCO director general Audrey Azoulay said she 鈥渄eeply鈥 regrets the U.S. decision but said it was expected and that the agency 鈥渉as prepared for it.鈥 She also denied accusations of anti-Israel bias, saying it contradicts 鈥渢he reality of UNESCO鈥檚 efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.鈥
Azoulay added that 鈥渢he reasons put forward by the United States of America 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."
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N., celebrated the announcement, saying in a statement that it is a 鈥渇itting response to the consistent misguided anti-Israel bias of UNESCO, an organization that has lost its way.鈥
The Biden administration had rejoined UNESCO in 2023 after citing concerns that China was filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education.
鈥淯nilaterally withdrawing the United States from UNESCO is another assault by the Trump administration on international cooperation and U.S. global leadership," Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said.
鈥淭his decision cedes more ground to U.S. competitors, especially China, who will take advantage of America鈥檚 absence to further shape the international system in their favor.鈥
The withdrawal, which was first reported by the New York Post, came after a review ordered by the Trump administration earlier this year. While the U.S. had previously provided a notable share of the agency鈥檚 budget, UNESCO has diversified its funding sources in recent years as the U.S. contribution has decreased. Today, American assistance represents only 8% of the agency鈥檚 total budget.
Bruce hinted later Tuesday that further U.S. withdrawal from international organizations could be coming as a result of the ongoing review to ensure 鈥渃ontinued U.S. participation in international organizations will focus on advancing American interests with clarity and conviction.鈥
Azoulay pledged that UNESCO will carry out its missions despite 鈥渋nevitably reduced resources.鈥 The agency said that it is not considering any staff layoffs at this stage.
鈥淯NESCO鈥檚 purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and always will be welcome,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e will continue to work hand in hand with all our American partners in the private sector, academia and non-profit organizations, and will pursue our political dialogue with the U.S. administration and Congress.鈥
The U.S. previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance the interests of the Soviet Union. It rejoined in 2003 during George W. Bush鈥檚 presidency.
France, where UNESCO is based, stated in a press release that it regrets the U.S.鈥檚 decision to withdraw from the agency, which was founded in 1946 鈥渢o prevent conflicts through education, culture and tolerance.鈥
鈥淔rance supports UNESCO, which backs several of its priorities at international level, particularly access to education for all, the protection of endangered heritage, the protection of our oceans, the responsible development of artificial intelligence and the fight against anti-Semitism and hate speech,鈥 the French foreign ministry said.
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Petrequin reported from Brussels.
