US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has sparked a wave of debate about the future of international cooperation and the US role in global organisations. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the reason for the move is UNESCO's support for initiatives that are not aligned with the interests of the United States.
Specifically, Kelly criticized UNESCO for alleged "anti-Israel and anti-Jewish actions," including the designation of Jewish holy sites as "Palestinian World Heritage Sites." This move, she said, is not consistent with the values that Americans supported in the November 2024 election.
Kelly also accused the organization of promoting China's interests, particularly because of the influence of China's deputy director-general of UNESCO, Xing Qu, who she said helps promote global standards favorable to Beijing.
Trump's move is not the first time the United States has distanced itself from UNESCO. In 1984, during the administration of President Ronald Reagan, the US left the organisation over accusations of excessive politicisation and mismanagement of resources. It rejoined in 2003, but withdrew again during Trump's first term, in 2018. At the time, UNESCO's mounting debts, the need for major reforms, and the organization's continued anti-Israel stance were cited as reasons.
The U.S. rejoined in 2023, but the current decision to leave again suggests ongoing tensions between U.S. interests and UNESCO's direction.
Founded in 1945, UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that aims to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication. The organisation is best known for its World Heritage Programme, which protects important cultural and natural sites around the world, such as Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, the Czech Republic's Karlstejn Castle and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
In addition, UNESCO supports educational initiatives, freedom of the press and the protection of cultural diversity. The organisation currently has 194 member states and its headquarters are in Paris. UNESCO also administers a number of programmes focusing on sustainable development, scientific research and the fight against misinformation, making it a key player in global efforts to promote peace and security through culture and education.
The US decision to leave UNESCO has a broader context in Trump's foreign policy, which emphasises national interests and criticism of international organisations. Already on 4 February 2025, Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the US from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
At the time, Trump criticised the UN as a whole, saying that the organisation had enormous potential, but that it was not fulfilling it in the long term. Part of that order included a requirement for a review of cooperation with UNESCO within 90 days to assess whether the organization was actually advancing U.S. interests.
The relationship between the US and UNESCO has long been complicated. In addition to the aforementioned departures in 1984 and 2018, the organization has faced criticism for its decisions, such as accepting Palestine as a member state in 2011, which led to the suspension of U.S. financial contributions. These contributions made up a significant portion of UNESCO's budget, and their absence caused financial difficulties. Nevertheless, the organization continued its activities, including the protection of world heritage and support for educational programs in developing countries.
The Trump administration's departure from UNESCO signals continued skepticism about multilateral institutions. Anna Kelly stressed that the US is focused on ensuring that its membership in international organisations is aligned with national interests. Criticism of UNESCO for its alleged anti-Israel policies and China's influence reflects the broader geopolitical tensions shaping contemporary US foreign policy. In particular, the issue of the designation of Jewish holy sites, such as the Temples in Jerusalem, as Palestinian World Heritage Sites has stirred strong emotions and political controversy. These decisions by UNESCO are perceived by some states as politically motivated, undermining confidence in the neutrality of the organisation.
China's influence on UNESCO is another point of criticism. According to Kelly, the organisation, under the leadership of Xing Qu, promotes standards that are in line with Chinese interests, which the US finds problematic. This argument reflects broader concerns about China's growing influence in international organizations, a theme that resonates not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well.
The US decision to leave UNESCO could have far-reaching consequences. U.S. financial contributions make up a significant portion of the organization's budget, and their absence may limit UNESCO's ability to implement its programs. Moreover, the departure of one of the world's most important powers may weaken the international legitimacy of the organisation and encourage other states to reconsider their membership. On the other hand, some analysts argue that UNESCO can continue its work without the U.S., as previous departures in 1984 and 2018 have shown.In a broader context, Trump's decision can be seen as part of his broader "America First" strategy, which emphasizes national sovereignty and critiques of global institutions. However, this approach raises questions about the future of international cooperation and the U.S. role in global issues such as protecting cultural heritage, promoting education, and combating climate change, which UNESCO has long championed.
TASS/gnews.cz - GH
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