Trump Administration Plans US Exit From UNESCO: Reports

Washington: President Donald Trump is once again steering the United States out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing ideological concerns and alleging anti-American and anti-Israel bias within the agency, according to reports.

This decision follows a 90-day review initiated earlier this year, aimed at evaluating the U.S. role in UNESCO, with a particular focus on identifying any instances of anti-Semitism or opposition to Israel.

According to a White House official quoted by The New York Post, the administration flagged several issues, including UNESCO’s support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, its perceived alignment with pro-China narratives, and what it describes as a tilt towards Palestinian interests.

“President Trump has made the decision to withdraw from UNESCO an organization that has become a platform for divisive, ideologically driven cultural and social agendas that do not reflect the priorities of American voters,” said Deputy White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly. “This administration is committed to ensuring U.S. involvement in international bodies strictly serves national interests.”

The departure marks a setback for the Paris-based agency, which was established after World War II to foster peace through global cooperation in education, science, and culture.

This isn’t Trump’s first move to disengage from international institutions. During his previous term, he withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, the U.N. Human Rights Council, the Paris Climate Accord, and the Iran nuclear agreement, all of which were rejoined by President Joe Biden during his tenure.

With Trump now back in office, the administration has resumed its efforts to distance the U.S. from global organizations it considers misaligned with its policy outlook. In addition to the UNESCO withdrawal, a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid has been announced to reassess how those funds align with Trump's foreign policy agenda.

UNESCO, best known for designating World Heritage Sites like the Grand Canyon and Syria’s Palmyra, has seen U.S. participation fluctuate over the years. Washington first left the agency in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing financial concerns and anti-American sentiment. The U.S. rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush after reforms were implemented.

Although U.S. contributions to UNESCO have decreased over the decades, from around 20% in earlier years to approximately 8% today, American funding still supports several of its key programs. While UNESCO officials downplayed the financial impact, they acknowledged that the withdrawal could affect specific U.S.-funded initiatives.

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