US Withdraws from Unesco Over Alleged Support for "Divisive" Culture

The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from Unesco, the United Nations' culture and education agency. The US cited Unesco's support for what it called "woke, divisive cultural and social causes" as the reason for its departure. Unesco's Director General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed disappointment at the decision, which will come into effect in December 2026.

This move is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to disengage from international organizations. Previously, the US had withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement, and reduced funding for foreign aid programs. Unesco, headquartered in Paris, has 194 member states worldwide and is renowned for its designation of world heritage sites.

The US State Department criticized Unesco for promoting a "globalist, ideological agenda for international development" that clashed with the US's "America First" foreign policy. It specifically pointed to Unesco's admission of Palestinians in 2011 as a contentious issue that fueled anti-Israel sentiments within the organization. In response, Audrey Azoulay defended Unesco's work in Holocaust education and combating antisemitism, emphasizing the agency's commitment to multilateralism.

Azoulay acknowledged the impact of the US withdrawal on various American stakeholders, including communities seeking recognition on the World Heritage List and other Unesco programs. She noted that Unesco had been preparing for this decision by diversifying its funding sources, as the US currently contributes approximately 8% of the agency's budget. This is not the first time the US has exited Unesco; a similar decision was made during Trump's presidency in 2017 but was later reversed under the Biden administration.

Established in November 1945 after World War Two, Unesco's mission is to foster global cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture to promote peace and security.