 US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce (Source: Reuters) |
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that UNESCO’s agenda promotes globalization and ideological views on international development, which conflict with the current “America First” foreign policy.
During his first term, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Upon taking office, President Joe Biden reversed these decisions, rejoining UNESCO, the WHO, and the Paris Agreement. However, with President Trump returning to office for a second term in January 2025, the US has once again begun pulling out of several global organizations.
The United States has been a member of UNESCO since its founding in 1945. It currently contributes around 8% of UNESCO’s budget, a significant drop from nearly 20% when President Trump first withdrew during his previous term.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said she deeply regrets President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO. However, UNESCO has prepared for it, she added. The withdrawal will officially take effect in December 2026.
The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement regretting President Trump's decision, while affirming its continued support for the organization. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his "unwavering support" for UNESCO.