By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced its withdrawal from the UNESCO, cited misalignment with national interests.
US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce read a statement “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”.
According to a statement, the withdrawal was made over concerns about the organization’s alleged focus on divisive agendas and its admission of the “State of Palestine” as a member state.
She described the admission as “highly problematic,” noted that it was against the US’s policy, accusing the organization of helping spread “anti-Israel rhetoric,” amid Israel’s heightened military operations in Gaza.
“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 organisation. Continued U.S. participation in international organisations will focus on advancing American interests with clarity and conviction,” the statement alleged.
The decision will take effect on December 31, 2026, with the US remaining a full member until that date, the statement noted.Media reported that this is the second time the US has withdrawn from UNESCO under the Trump administration, after its initial withdrawal in 2017 during his first term as President.
US rejoined the group after Biden took the oval office.UNESCO was founded in 1945, but the US withdrew in 1984 due to perceived bias against US interests and financial mismanagement.The US rejoined UNESCO in 2003, over twenty years after its initial departure, under former US President George W. Bush, who claimed that UNESCO had made significant reforms.UNESCO is a specialized agency dedicated to strengthening shared humanity through the promotion of education, science, culture, and communication.
