President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the second time has sparked controversy and concern over the preservation of global cultural heritage. The move, announced through a brief statement on the Department of State website, cited UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine as a member state as contradictory to US foreign policy interests and accused the organization of propagating anti-Israel bias.
In response, Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay refuted these claims, highlighting UNESCO’s important role in supporting countries in educating students about the Holocaust and genocides, as well as combating Holocaust denial and hate speech. She emphasized that UNESCO is the only UN entity directly involved in Holocaust education and combating antisemitism, efforts that have been praised by groups like the World Jewish Congress.
The US withdrawal from UNESCO comes on the heels of sanctions imposed by the Department of State on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. This move further underscores the strained relationship between the US and international organizations like UNESCO.
UNESCO oversees more than 1,200 World Heritage sites, including iconic landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and the Milanese church housing Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The organization also plays a crucial role in safeguarding heritage assets in crisis, such as the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum during the country’s civil war.
The Department of State criticized UNESCO for focusing on what it deemed as “divisive” objectives, including promoting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the US’s withdrawal, it will remain a member of UNESCO until 2026, with membership dues accounting for 8% of the organization’s budget.
This is not the first time the US has withdrawn from UNESCO over political disagreements. In 2011, funding was halted when Palestine was granted full membership, as per a law prohibiting funds to agencies that recognize Palestine as a member state. The US rejoined in 2023 under President Joe Biden, who pledged to pay back over $600 million in arrears. Israel also withdrew from UNESCO in 2019, amid ongoing tensions in the region.
In response to the US’s latest withdrawal, Azoulay expressed a commitment to continuing collaboration with American partners in the private sector, academia, and non-profit organizations, as well as engaging in political dialogue with the US administration and Congress. The decision to withdraw from UNESCO raises concerns about the future of global cultural heritage preservation and cooperation on international initiatives.
