The United States has formally rejoined the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after a five-year absence. The decision to return to UNESCO is primarily driven by concerns over China’s increasing leadership role, which emerged during the Trump administration’s withdrawal period. UNESCO’s governing board recently voted in favor of the Biden administration’s proposal for the US’s re-entry, and on Monday, the US submitted the necessary document certifying its acceptance of the invitation. UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, officially confirmed the US’s return on Tuesday. The organization plans to hold a welcome ceremony in late July, which will include a flag-raising ceremony and VIP guests.
Audrey Azoulay expressed her delight at the US’s return, stating that it is excellent news for UNESCO. She believes that the regained momentum of recent years will continue to grow, making the organization’s initiatives stronger worldwide. The Biden administration had already announced its intention to rejoin UNESCO last month, citing the organization’s significant role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education. With the US rejoining, UNESCO now has 194 member states.
Audrey Azoulay emphasized that the US’s return is not only positive for UNESCO but also for multilateralism as a whole. She stated that to address the challenges of the century, there must be a collective response. The US had previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 2017 under the Trump administration, citing concerns about anti-Israel bias. This decision came into effect a year later. Additionally, the US and Israel ceased financial contributions to UNESCO after its vote to include Palestine as a member state in 2011.
Under the Biden administration, $150 million has been requested for the 2024 budget to cover UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan also includes similar requests in the following years until the full debt of $619 million is repaid. This amount constitutes a significant portion of UNESCO’s annual operating budget, which is currently $534 million. Prior to its withdrawal, the US provided 22% of the agency’s funding. The US had previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 1984 under the Reagan administration due to concerns about mismanagement, corruption, and the agency’s alignment with Soviet interests. The US rejoined UNESCO in 2003 during George W. Bush’s presidency.
