Overview

• The United States formally notified UNESCO on July 22 that it will leave the agency on December 31, 2026.
• State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said UNESCO’s agenda on divisive social causes and its decision to admit Palestine as a member state drove the withdrawal.
• This will be the third time the U.S. has exited UNESCO and the second departure under President Trump’s administration.
• U.S. funding now accounts for about 8% of UNESCO’s budget after years of diversified contributions from other donors.
• UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said the agency anticipated the move and is financially and operationally prepared to continue without U.S. support.