Govind Tekale
The United States will leave the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by December 31, 2026, marking its third withdrawal from the international body. The announcement follows a 90-day review of US participation in various UN agencies initiated by the Trump administration in February 2025.
This withdrawal continues a pattern that began in 1984 when President Reagan pulled the US out of UNESCO. The country later rejoined in 2003 under President Bush, only to announce its second withdrawal in 2017 during President Trump’s first term. Most recently, the Biden administration had returned the US to UNESCO membership in 2023 after settling approximately $619 million in unpaid dues.
The White House cited several specific concerns driving the decision:
“UNESCO has demonstrated an anti-Israel bias through its admission of Palestine as a member,” according to White House statements reported by Reuters and AP News.
Additional concerns include UNESCO’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, specifically its anti-racism toolkit and gender programs such as “Transforming MEN’Talities.” The administration also expressed worries about what it termed a “pro-China tilt” in the organization’s leadership and agenda priorities.
The US currently provides approximately 8% of UNESCO’s total budget, down from nearly 20% during earlier periods of membership. This reduced percentage may lessen the immediate financial impact compared to previous withdrawals.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has indicated the organization is prepared to absorb the funding loss without staff reductions. Azoulay expressed that UNESCO programs, including work on Holocaust education, would continue without interruption, as reported by AP News.
A key factor in US-UNESCO relations remains the 1989 legislation (HR 2145/S 875) that prohibits funding to UN bodies that admit Palestine as a member. This legal constraint has complicated US participation since UNESCO granted Palestinian membership.
UNESCO’s work includes monitoring World Heritage sites such as the Grand Canyon in the US and Palmyra in Syria, developing intercultural dialogue initiatives, and creating educational programs to combat hate and antisemitism.
Diplomats familiar with the organization described the US withdrawal as having a “limited but notable impact” on these ongoing efforts, according to Reuters.
With the US departure, China’s role as the second-largest financial contributor to UNESCO may gain increased significance. This funding dynamic could potentially alter influence balances within the organization’s governance and priority-setting mechanisms.The withdrawal becomes effective on December 31, 2026, providing an extended transition period. During this time, UNESCO will likely adjust its budget planning while continuing its core programs.
