The United States is set to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) once again, a decision announced by the Trump administration on July 22, 2025, with the exit slated to become effective at the end of 2026. This marks the third time the U.S. has decided to leave the international body, underscoring persistent disagreements over its policies and perceived biases, as reported by the New York Post and corroborated by Wikipedia.
According to a White House official, the decision follows a 90-day review initiated in February 2025, which focused on probing “anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.” The administration cited UNESCO’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, as well as its alleged pro-Palestinian and pro-China biases, as key factors. White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, “President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November. This President will always put America First and ensure our country’s membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests.”
Specific criticisms include UNESCO’s 2023 “anti-racism toolkit,” which encouraged member states to adopt “anti-racist” policies, and its 2024 “Transforming MEN’talities” initiative, aimed at reshaping how “men think about gender issues.” The administration also highlighted UNESCO’s Executive Board’s actions, such as designating Jewish holy sites as “Palestinian World Heritage” sites and using language that refers to Palestine as “occupied” by Israel, often condemning Israel’s actions against Hamas without criticizing the terror group. Concerns were also raised about China’s growing influence within UNESCO, noting that Beijing is the second-largest funder and Chinese nationals, like Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, hold key leadership positions. Critics allege China leverages this influence to advance its interests and downplay the role of minorities like Uyghur Muslims in its history.
This impending withdrawal is not unprecedented. The U.S. first pulled out of UNESCO in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan, citing the organization’s perceived politicization, hostility toward free market and press, and “unrestrained budgetary expansion.” The U.S. rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush. However, financial contributions ceased in 2011 after UNESCO granted full membership to Palestine, triggering U.S. laws that prohibit funding to any UN organization that accepts Palestine as a full member. This led to the U.S. losing its voting rights in 2013.
Former President Donald Trump previously ordered a withdrawal in 2017, also citing anti-Israel bias, which became effective on December 31, 2018. Israel followed suit, leaving UNESCO in 2019. Most recently, President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. to rejoin UNESCO in 2023, arguing that an American presence was necessary to counter China’s increasing influence. The Biden administration also pledged to repay over $600 million in accumulated membership dues.
Established in 1945, UNESCO’s core mission is to promote world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture. Headquartered in Paris, France, the organization operates through five major program areas: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. Its initiatives include improving literacy, providing technical training, advancing science, protecting independent media, preserving cultural history, and promoting cultural diversity. UNESCO is notably responsible for establishing and safeguarding World Heritage Sites of cultural and natural importance globally. Recent activities highlighted by UNESCO include the inscription of 26 new World Heritage sites and the removal of three African sites from the “in-danger” list in July 2025, as well as ongoing efforts in data collection for Sustainable Development Goals related to research and development, and heritage preservation, as detailed on UNESCO.org, World Heritage Convention, and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Beyond the recurring U.S.-Israel tensions, UNESCO has faced other controversies. Historically, its support for a “New World Information and Communication Order” in the 1970s and 80s was criticized by Western nations as an attempt to curb press freedom. More recently, the organization has been accused of allowing China to influence historical narratives, particularly concerning ethnic minorities like Uyghurs. It also faced scrutiny over a Palestinian youth magazine it partly funded that praised Adolf Hitler, and a controversy regarding a chair established at the Islamic University of Gaza, which Israel alleged had ties to Hamas. Additionally, UNESCO’s figures on illicit art trading have been questioned by art dealers.
The latest decision to withdraw reflects a continuing pattern of the U.S. disengaging from international bodies when their agendas diverge from perceived national interests. As the U.S. prepares for its departure, the implications for global cultural, scientific, and educational cooperation, as well as the balance of influence within UNESCO, remain to be seen.
