President Donald Trump
The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective December 31, 2026.
Spokesperson, U.S. Department of State, Tammy Bruce, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
In the statement, the U.S. Department of State informed UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay that continued participation in the organization does not align with U.S. national interests.
The decision reflects concerns over UNESCO’s focus on what the U.S. describes as “divisive social and cultural causes” and its emphasis on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which the statement calls a “globalist, ideological agenda” incompatible with the America First foreign policy.
Additionally, the U.S. criticized UNESCO’s 2011 decision to admit the “State of Palestine” as a Member State, viewing it as contrary to U.S. policy and a driver of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.
The withdrawal, pursuant to Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution, will see the United States remain a full member until the end of 2026.
The decision marks the second U.S. exit from UNESCO, following a previous withdrawal in 1984 under President Reagan, with rejoining in 2003 under President George W. Bush.
The U.S. also withdrew in 2017 under President Trump, citing similar concerns, before rejoining in 2023.
The State Department emphasized that future U.S. engagement in international organizations will prioritize advancing American interests with “clarity and conviction.”
Critics of the move argue that withdrawing from UNESCO could diminish U.S. influence in global cultural and educational initiatives, while supporters view it as a necessary step to align international participation with national priorities.
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