Overview

• On July 22, the Trump administration declared that the United States will exit UNESCO at the end of 2026, marking its third withdrawal from the U.N. cultural agency.
• Officials said the exit reflects clashes with UNESCO’s sustainable development agenda and social programs they have labeled “woke.”
• Washington criticized UNESCO’s 2011 admission of the “State of Palestine” as a member, claiming it has amplified anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.
• At roughly eight percent of UNESCO’s budget, U.S. contributions rank among the largest, and their removal is expected to create a significant funding shortfall.
• UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay lamented that the move undermines multilateralism and confirmed preparations for the agency to operate without U.S. support.