The US State Department indicated in a letter dated on June 8 that it wanted to rejoin the organization in July as a full member and that it intended to repay $619 million in arrears in instalments over several years. The member states will make their decision at an extraordinary session on Thursday and Friday.

UNESCO's director-general, Audrey Azoulay, has sought to ease some of the political tensions and polarization, as well as better manage the organization financially, while finding ways to fill the financial gap left by Washington's departure.