Trump administration pulls US out of Unesco again

July 22, 2025

The US government has announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), citing opposition to what it calls a "globalist, ideological agenda" and "woke, divisive cultural and social causes. " This withdrawal, which will take effect in December 2026, marks another instance of the Trump administration severing ties with international bodies, following similar actions with the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Agreement. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay described the decision as "regrettable but anticipated," noting that the organization had been preparing by diversifying its funding sources, with only about 8% of its budget currently coming from the US.

Who is affected

UNESCO and its 194 member states
US communities seeking World Heritage List inscriptions, Creative City status, and University Chairs
Palestinians, whose membership in UNESCO was cited as problematic by the US
UNESCO's partners in the United States

What action is being taken

The US is withdrawing from UNESCO, with the decision taking effect in December 2026
UNESCO is diversifying its funding sources in preparation for the US withdrawal
The Trump administration is continuing its broader effort to cut ties with international bodies

Why it matters

This withdrawal represents a continuation of the Trump administration's "America First" foreign policy approach
The decision impacts UNESCO's funding, as the US currently provides about 8% of its budget
It affects US communities' ability to participate in UNESCO programs such as World Heritage listings
The move undermines multilateral cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture
This marks a reversal of Biden's previous decision to rejoin UNESCO after Trump's 2017 withdrawal

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC