The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a decision set to take effect at the end of next year. The U.S. Department of State made the announcement on Tuesday in Washington, citing concerns about the organization’s alignment with national interests.
According to the Department of State, continued participation in UNESCO is not deemed to be in the “national interest” of the United States. The reasoning provided centers on UNESCO’s perceived prioritization of United Nations sustainability goals, including the eradication of hunger and poverty, environmental protection and addressing the climate crisis. These goals are described as reflecting a “globalist, ideological agenda.
Further complicating the decision is the United States’ objection to UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a member state, which officials have labelled as “highly problematic”. The statement indicates a shift in the nation’s approach to international organizations, emphasizing a focus on advancing U.S. interests within those frameworks.
This withdrawal marks a return to a previous stance; the U.S. had previously exited UNESCO at the end of 2018 during the administration of former President Donald Trump, only to rejoin the organization two years ago.