International News: The US said on Tuesday that it will again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Washington has termed this organization as anti-Israel. The US had joined UNESCO only two years ago and is withdrawing again after Trump's return. Earlier, the US also withdrew from UN organizations like WHO. This is going to be the third time that America is leaving Paris-based UNESCO. A similar step was taken in the previous Trump administration, but the Biden administration again included America in this organization. America's separation can cause a lot of damage to this organization, and many of its programs may have to be stopped.
White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly told the New York Post, "President Trump has decided to take the United States out of UNESCO, which supports divisive cultural and social issues and is completely at odds with the practical policies Americans voted for in November." However, UNESCO and the White House have not confirmed the move.
Trump has already walked out of UNESCO
President Donald Trump withdrew from the group in 2017 during his first term, a decision that took effect a year later. The US and Israel had stopped funding UNESCO after it voted to admit Palestine as a member state in 2011. Earlier, the US withdrew from UNESCO during the Reagan administration.
The US returned to the organization after a five-year absence after US President Joe Biden's administration applied to rejoin the organization. The US' recent decision will take effect at the end of December 2026.
What is UNESCO?
UNESCO, also known as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a special agency of the United Nations (UN), established on 16 November 1945. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France. UNESCO's work is to promote international peace and cooperation through education, science, culture, and communication.