The recent announcement from the White House indicates that US President Donald Trump has made the decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This move mirrors a decision he made during his first term, which President Joe Biden later reversed.
- Advertisement -
Founded in the aftermath of World War II, UNESCO aims to foster peace through international collaboration in education, science, and culture. The US withdrawal will be effective at the end of the following year.
This action aligns with the Trump administration’s overarching “America First” foreign policy, characterized by a skeptical stance towards multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and NATO. As White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly emphasized, “UNESCO supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out of step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for.”
The White House also expressed concerns that UNESCO’s decision to admit Palestinians as a member state was “highly problematic and contrary to US policy,” contributing to increasing anti-Israel sentiment.
UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed regret over Trump’s decision, stating, “While I deeply regret this decision, it was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared accordingly.”
In a show of solidarity, French President Emmanuel Macron took to X, reaffirming France’s unwavering support for UNESCO as the “universal protector” of world heritage. He stated firmly, “The withdrawal of the United States will not weaken our commitment alongside those who lead this fight.”
Unwavering support for UNESCO, a universal guardian of science, the Ocean, education, culture, and world heritage. The withdrawal of the United States will not weaken our commitment alongside those who lead this fight.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 22, 2025
UNESCO officials have indicated that while the US withdrawal may have some limited repercussions on US-funded programs, the organization has diversified its funding sources and only relies on the United States for about 8% of its budget.
During Trump’s first term, the US disengaged from several international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement. While many of those decisions were reversed during Biden’s term, the landscape has shifted once again with Trump’s reelection bid.
Mike Waltz, Trump’s candidate for UN ambassador, expressed a belief that reform is necessary for the United Nations, stating confidently, “We can make the UN great again.”
In the wake of the announcement, Israeli officials reacted positively. Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized UNESCO for its “consistent misguided anti-Israel bias.” Similarly, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, expressed gratitude to Washington for its “moral support and leadership,” noting that “the politicization of member states must come to an end.”
On the other side of the aisle, US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior Democrat on the Republican-controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee, labeled Trump’s decision as “short-sighted and a win for China,” pointing out that China has become the largest financial contributor to UNESCO since the last US withdrawal.
Per UNESCO’s officials, dialogues and relevant statements have been coordinated with both Israel and the Palestinians over the past eight years. Ms. Azoulay pointed out that the reasons cited for the US pullout mirrors sentiments expressed seven years ago, despite an “evolving landscape,” where political tensions have eased. She added, “These claims also contradict the reality of UNESCO’s efforts, especially in Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.”
UNESCO is widely recognized for designating iconic World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the United States and Egypt’s pyramids. The organization lists 26 sites in the U.S., including the Statue of Liberty, as part of its global roster of locations deemed to have “outstanding universal value.”
The relationship between the US and UNESCO has been fraught with challenges for decades. The US was a founding member in 1945 but first withdrew in 1984 due to alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-US bias. The nation rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who cited necessary reforms. However, in 2011, the Obama administration halted funding after UNESCO voted to grant full membership to Palestine. Trump’s administration announced its departure in 2017, alleging anti-Israel bias, leaving a significant US debt of $542 million. This decision was later reversed by President Biden in 2023.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
