On Tuesday, the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was officially executed, marking a shift in policy during President Joe Biden’s administration.
President Donald Trump had signed an executive order in early February regarding the U.S. involvement in UNESCO and the related review conducted by the State Department. The results of this review were summarized in a brief statement:
The U.S. has informed Director Audrey Azoulay of its decision to exit UNESCO, declaring that ongoing participation is not in the nation’s best interest.
UNESCO’s focus on divisive social and cultural issues, particularly in promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and global initiatives that conflict with U.S. foreign policy, has been a concern. Notably, UNESCO’s recognition of “Palestine” as a member state was deemed problematic, contributing to anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.
It’s essential for the U.S. to engage in international organizations that align with its interests and principles.
According to Article 2 (6) of the UNESCO Constitution, the U.S. withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026, and the country will remain a full member until that date.
The Trump administration had initially withdrawn from UNESCO in 2017, citing the organization’s perceived bias against Israel and its attempts to question historic Jewish connections to Jerusalem.
In a contrasting move, the Biden administration in 2023 sought to rejoin UNESCO, potentially signaling an effort to realign with multilateral institutions that had seen disengagement under Trump, though it’s unclear how closely they align with American values.
