United States quits ‘woke’ UNESCO

US State Department described UNESCO as working ‘to advance divisive social and cultural causes’ and being overly focused on UN sustainability goals.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Picture: AFP

The United States will quit UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes “divisive” causes.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce described UNESCO as working “to advance divisive social and cultural causes” and being overly focused on UN sustainability goals, which she described as a “globalist, ideological agenda.”

“Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” she said.

Ms Bruce also highlighted what she said was the body’s anti-Israeli position in admitting Palestine as a state.

“UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation,” Ms Bruce said.

The administration has also objected to UNESCO’s recognition of heritage sites in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem as Palestinian. UNESCO called the US departure — which it said will take effect in December 2026 — regrettable, but unsurprising, and said its financial impact would be limited.

President Donald Trump had already ordered withdrawal from UNESCO in 2017 during his first term. President Joe Biden then re-established US membership.

“I deeply regret President Donald Trump’s decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO,” Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, adding the move contradicted fundamental principles of multilateralism.

“However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it”.

Audrey Azoulay. Picture: AFP

In recent years, Ms Azoulay said, UNESCO had “undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources”, including with private and voluntary governmental contributions.

The US share of UNESCO’s total budget currently stands at eight per cent, she said. This compares to an estimate of nearly 20 per cent a decade ago, according to a UNESCO source who asked not to be named.

Ms Azoulay said that reasons put forward by the US “are the same as seven years ago” although, she said, “the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism”.

‘Always welcome’

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he welcomed the US decision. “This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system,” he said on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron meanwhile said, also on X, that UNESCO had his “unwavering support” that would not weaken after the US departure.

The UN organisation describes its mission as promoting education, scientific co-operation and cultural understanding.

It oversees a list of heritage sites aimed at preserving unique environmental and architectural gems, ranging from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Athens Acropolis and Pyramids of Egypt.