US to Rejoin UNESCO After Five Years and Repay $619 Million in Arrears

The United States intends to rejoin the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, and repay $619 million in unpaid dues
UNESCO's 193 member states are expected to approve the US decision to rejoin the organization
The US had withdrawn from UNESCO in 2018, accusing it of bias against Israel and financial mismanagement
UNESCO's director-general has worked to address political tensions and improve financial management in order to facilitate the US return
The US Congress offered a waiver allowing the US to rejoin UNESCO in order to counter China's growing influence in the organization