Decision will come into force at the end of December 2026
The United States announced on Tuesday the departure of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO), two years after the return, claiming what it considers to be the anti-Israel mark of this UN structure.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay immediately reacted that “deeply regrets” the decision of the US president, but recognizing that the announcement was expected.
The White House decision was known on Tuesday, through a statement by the White House Deputy spokeswoman Anna Kelly, quoted by The New York Post: “President Trump decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO for supporting cultural and social causes totally out of tune with the policies voted by Americans in November,” in presidential elections.
The decision will come into force at the end of December 2026, the Associated Press (AP) agency (AP) reported.
This is the third time the United States have abandoned UNESCO, based in Paris, and the second in a Trump administration.
In 2017, during Donald Trump’s first term, UNESCO’s departure was justified by the alleged anti-Israel prejudice of the organization. The decision came into force a year later.
In 2023, the United States returned to UNESCO, after the administration of former President Joe Biden requested the reincordation.
Last February, Trump ordered a revision of the presence at UNESCO, asking for special attention to any manifestation of “anti-Semitism or anti-Israel feeling within the organization.”
According to White House sources, cited today by the US press, in recent months the policies of diversity, equity and inclusion of UNESCO have been evaluated, as well as “its pro-palestin and pro-china pentens.”
At issue are UNESCO decisions such as the classification of “World Palestinian Heritage” in sites that the Trump administration claims to be Jews, and the use of the word “occupation” for the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, according to the United Nations resolutions.
The White House of Trump also criticizes in particular the initiative “Transforming Men’Talities”, which aims to address gender issues, promote inclusion and work social norms that support prejudice.
This initiative followed last year the Campaign of International Day to eliminate violence against women and published reports on gender equality in India, video games and the way they can promote inclusion.
“It is not just about controlling the negative impacts of video games, but also to rely on them to address sociocultural stereotypes and encourage positive and anti-discriminatory behaviors,” said Assistant Director-General for UNESCO Social and Human Sciences, Gabriela Ramos.
The United States first left UNESCO in 1983 during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, claiming that the organization was poorly managed, corrupt and used to promote the interests of the Soviet Union.
The return to UNESCO took place in 2003, during the presidency of George W. Bush.
