President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from the United Nations’ culture and education agency UNESCO, following a move reversed by Joe Biden in his first term. The withdrawal will take effect at the end of next year, aligning with the Trump administration’s broader “America-first” foreign policy, which includes a deep skepticism of multilateral groups such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the NATO alliance. UNESCO was one of several international bodies Trump withdrew from during his first term, along with the World Health Organization, the Paris Agreement climate change accord, and the U.N. Human Rights Council.
UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said she deeply regretted Trump’s decision but it was “expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it.” French President Emmanuel Macron professed “unwavering support” for the “universal protector” of world heritage and said the U.S. move would not weaken France’s commitment to UNESCO. UNESCO officials said the U.S. withdrawal would have some limited impact on U.S.-financed programs.
Israel welcomed the U.S. decision with its U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, accusing UNESCO of “consistent misguided anti-Israel bias.” U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen called Trump’s decision “short-sighted and a win for China,” which became the largest financial contributor to UNESCO after Trump last withdrew from the agency.
UNESCO is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the U.S. Grand Canyon and Egypt’s pyramids. Washington has had a troubled relationship with UNESCO over the years, with the first administration withdrewing in 1984 to protest alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-U.S. bias during the Cold War.
