A press statement released by the United States Department of State today announced the U.S. decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This marks the third time the U.S. has exited the international body.
The U.S. Department of State’s statement read:
“Today, the United States informed Director-General Audrey Azoulay of the United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO. Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States.
UNESCO works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy. UNESCO’s decision to admit the “State of Palestine” as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.
Continued U.S. participation in international organizations will focus on advancing American interests with clarity and conviction. Pursuant to Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution, U.S. withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until that time.”
This latest withdrawal follows a pattern of fluctuating U.S. engagement with the organization. The first U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO occurred in 1984, under President Ronald Reagan, primarily due to accusations of UNESCO’s anti-Western bias, mismanagement, and perceived Soviet influence. The U.S. remained outside the organization for 19 years.
The United States rejoined UNESCO in 2003, during George W. Bush’s presidency, driven by a desire for U.S. reforms within UNESCO and a broader push to re-engage multilaterally in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
However, in 2017, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO once more. A key reason cited at that time was the organization’s perceived anti-Israel bias, particularly after UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member in 2011.
The U.S. rejoined UNESCO again in 2023, under President Joe Biden, with stated reasons including restoring U.S. leadership in global institutions and countering Chinese influence within UNESCO policy-making.
Now, current President Donald Trump, who previously removed the U.S. from UNESCO in 2017, has initiated another withdrawal. The U.S. withdrawal will officially take effect on December 31, 2026.
