US Withdrawal from UNESCO
Withdrawal Rationale
- Cited Reasons:
- Support for "woke and divisive causes."
- Perceived "anti-Israel bias" (e.g., resolutions critical of Israeli policies in Palestine).
- Context:
- 3rd US exit from UNESCO (previous exits: 1984, 2017; rejoined in 2003 and 2023).
- Part of broader trend: Exits from WHO, funding cuts to UNRWA (Palestine refugee agency).
Impact of US Exit
| Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Budgetary | Loss of 8% of UNESCO’s budget ($600M+ arrears unpaid since 2011). |
| Geopolitical | Power vacuum likely filled by China (already leads 4+ UN agencies). |
| Multilateralism | Weakens global cooperation; signals declining trust in UN institutions. |
| Programmatic | Potential downsizing of initiatives (e.g., heritage conservation, education). |
UNESCO: Essential Details
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Mandate | Promote global peace via education, science, culture (founded 1945). |
| Headquarters | Paris, France. |
| Members | 194 Member States + 12 Associate Members. |
| Key Initiatives | • World Heritage Sites (e.g., Taj Mahal) • Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme • Global Education Monitoring Report |