The United States will formally withdraw from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by December 31, 2026, as President Donald Trump moves to reduce US participation in international institutions he deems misaligned with national priorities.
Trump, in his second term, is pressing forward with an isolationist foreign policy agenda that includes the cessation of membership and funding for several key UN agencies. These moves follow earlier decisions to remove the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and UNRWA, affecting both financial contributions and active engagement.
The immediate justification from Washington is that UNESCO has deviated from its core cultural and educational mission. The administration describes the organization as pursuing what it calls “woke” and ideological policies, particularly in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Officials have accused the body of politicizing its heritage designations—citing claims that Jewish holy sites have been labeled “Palestinian World Heritage” locations—a move they say is strongly biased and undermines Israel. They also pointed to UNESCO’s support for broader social initiatives, such as race and gender equity education tools, characterizing them as divisive and incompatible with US values.
In addition to cultural concerns, the administration has flagged what it perceives as increasing influence of China within UNESCO. According to officials, Beijing has leveraged its funding and leadership positions—such as deputy director-general slots held by Chinese nationals—to steer UNESCO’s agenda toward Beijing’s preferences.
This withdrawal marks the third time the United States has exited UNESCO. The first instance occurred in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing politicization and misaligned priorities; the second came in 2017 during Trump’s first administration, again over alleged anti-Israel bias. The US later re-entered the agency in 2003 under President George W. Bush, and again in 2023 under President Joe Biden—who also pledged to clear more than $600 million in membership arrears to counter China’s growing sway within UNESCO.
At its current level, the US contributes around 8% to UNESCO’s operating budget—down significantly from the approximately 20% share prior to the 2017 departure. While this makes the financial impact less crippling than earlier withdrawals, it still represents a significant symbolic and practical setback for projects in education, heritage conservation, and press freedom around the globe.
UNESCO’s director-general, Audrey Azoulay, expressed regret and disappointment at the decision but noted the agency has long anticipated such possibilities and prepared to adapt accordingly, even unveiling contingency strategies to sustain its programming.
White House officials maintain that the withdrawal is consistent with Trump’s “America First” approach. Deputy spokesman Anna Kelly articulated that US involvement in international organizations must serve American interests, and that UNESCO’s current trajectory fails to meet that standard.
Analysts view the move as more symbolic than seismic. While US funding will be important, other donors—including China and European nations—have the capacity to mitigate some gaps. However, the shift does underscore broader transatlantic tensions and the growing debate over whether to engage with, or disengage from, multilateral institutions—particularly in an era rife with geopolitical contestation and cultural disputes.
With the withdrawal set to take effect at the close of 2026, the coming months will determine whether the Biden administration—or its successor—can reverse course, or whether America’s influence in UNESCO and similar agencies will be permanently curtailed.
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