In a move that has become a recurring theme in its foreign policy, the United States has announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the third time in its history. This latest departure, effective December 31, 2026, marks a reversal of the Biden administration's 2023 decision to rejoin the agency and underscores a renewed push towards an "America First" approach to international relations.

A History of On-Again, Off-Again Membership

The U.S. relationship with UNESCO has been tumultuous. It was a founding member of the organization in 1945, playing a crucial role in its establishment. However, the U.S. first withdrew in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing concerns about alleged mismanagement, financial impropriety, and what it perceived as an anti-Western bias within the organization.

Twenty years later, in 2003, President George W. Bush rejoined UNESCO, emphasizing the importance of U.S. engagement in multilateral institutions and acknowledging reforms within the agency. This period of re-engagement lasted until 2017, when the Trump administration announced its second withdrawal, effective December 31, 2018. The stated reasons at that time were "mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO." The immediate catalyst for this 2017 withdrawal was UNESCO's decision in 2011 to grant full membership to Palestine, leading the U.S. to cut off its funding to the organization under existing law.

The Biden administration, in 2023, took steps to re-engage with UNESCO, recognizing the strategic importance of U.S. presence in shaping global standards, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and technology education, and to counter the growing influence of rival powers like China within the agency. The U.S. also moved to clear its substantial arrears to UNESCO, which had accumulated during its period of disengagement.

The Latest Withdrawal and its Stated Reasons

Now, in July 2025, the cycle has repeated. The current administration has once again declared its intention to withdraw. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that continued involvement in UNESCO "is not in the national interest" of Washington. The stated reasons echo those from the 2017 withdrawal: concerns about UNESCO advancing "divisive social and cultural causes," maintaining an "outsized focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals" which are described as a "globalist, ideological agenda at odds with our America First foreign policy," and the ongoing issue of Palestine's membership contributing to "anti-Israel rhetoric" within the organization.

Implications of the Withdrawal

The U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO carries several implications:

Financial Impact: While UNESCO has diversified its funding sources since previous U.S. exits, the U.S. remains a significant financial contributor, even after its return in 2023. Its departure will undoubtedly lead to "inevitably reduced resources," as noted by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Reduced Influence: By pulling out, the U.S. relinquishes its formal voice and vote in an organization that plays a critical role in global education, science, culture, and communication. This cedes ground to other nations, particularly China, to shape international norms and standards in these vital areas.

Symbolic Retreat from Multilateralism: The repeated withdrawals send a strong signal of U.S. disengagement from multilateral institutions and a preference for a more unilateral foreign policy. This could undermine broader efforts at international cooperation on shared global challenges.

Impact on Programs: UNESCO's work includes protecting World Heritage Sites, promoting education, fostering scientific collaboration, advocating for press freedom, and advancing initiatives on climate change and human rights. U.S. absence could hinder progress in these areas.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed "deep regret" over the U.S. decision, urging member states to remain engaged to effect change from within. UNESCO Director-General Azoulay also lamented the decision, emphasizing that the "reasons put forward by the United States of America are the same as seven years ago, even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism."

As the December 2026 effective withdrawal date approaches, the international community will be watching to see how UNESCO adapts to this recurring challenge and how the U.S. navigates its role on the global stage without direct engagement in this key cultural and scientific body.