The United States confirmed on July 22, 2025 their withdrawal from the United Nations Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), effective on December 31, 2026, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, who points to a supposed “Anti-Israeli biases”of the “Clivant social and cultural causes” and a political line deemed too much “Woke”.
The reasons for withdrawal are largely linked to geopolitical issues in the Middle East, in particular the admission of Palestine as a Member State in 2011, which Washington judges contrary to its pro-Israeli policy. Other reasons mentioned include the perceived influence of China within UNESCO, and criticism of its environmental or societal policies deemed excessively turned towards global sustainable development agendas.
This withdrawal is part of a context of recent reassessment of American engagement within international institutions. In February 2025, an official examination of the United States involvement in Unesco and other UN agencies had been launched, focused on the evaluation of potential biases or ideological initiatives such as sustainable development objectives or DEI policies (diversity, equity, inclusion). The final decision was not preceded by in -depth negotiations between Washington and the organization.
Relations between the United States and UNESCO have experienced unstable trajectory for several decades. Founding members in 1946, the United States retired for the first time in 1984 under Ronald Reagan, denouncing the politicization and mismanagement of the UN agency. They returned to the organization in 2003 under George W. Bush, then retired in 2017 again under Trump, unilaterally invoking a “Continuous anti-Israeli bias” and costs deemed excessive. In 2023, the Biden administration welcomed the reforms conducted since 2018 at UNESCO and a reimbursement plan for arrears over $ 600 million. The new programmed withdrawal echoes a loop trajectory characterized by successive inputs and outputs.
This withdrawal will have several consequences for the United States and UNESCO. Washington will no longer be able to participate in decision -making bodies, and will lose its influence on international standards in education, heritage, science or culture. The UN body will lose the financial contribution of the United States. Even if it represented only 8 % of the budget in 2025 against 20 % in 2018, its absence risks weakening UNESCO in the management of global programs, in particular World Heritage sites – of which 26 are also located on American territory. Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO, nevertheless assured that the organization was prepared for this possibility, thanks to a diversification of its sources of financing.
In response, France has published an official declaration deploring the American decision, while reaffirming its unwavering support for UNESCO, founded in 1946 in Paris and of which France remains the host country. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his “Unfactible support for UNESCO, universal protector of science, ocean, education, culture and heritage”. Israel, on the other hand, welcomed the American decision, believing that it is a necessary step against treatment deemed unfair within the United Nations.
