Overview

• On July 22, the State Department formally notified Director-General Audrey Azoulay that U.S. membership will end on December 31, 2026.
• Spokesperson Tammy Bruce accused UNESCO of promoting divisive social and cultural causes and said the admission of Palestine as a member contradicts “America First” policies and pledged that future UN engagement will focus on U.S. interests.
• This marks the third U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO since 1984 and comes after recent exits from the WHO, the UN Human Rights Council and the Paris climate agreement.
• UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret but confirmed that budgetary reforms and diversified funding have prepared the agency for the U.S. departure.
• Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised the decision as necessary to ensure fair treatment of Israel within the UN system.