U.S. to withdraw from UNESCO

The United States will withdraw from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) by the end of 2026.

The U.S. rejoined the UN cultural agency in 2023.

President Donald Trump first pulled the U.S. from the agency during his first term in 2018, before the country rejoined under ex-President Joe Biden’s administration two years ago.

The State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday in Washington.

She said: “Today, the United States informed Director-General Audrey Azoulay of the United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO.

“Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States.”

Trump ordered a review of the country’s involvement and funding in the UN in early February, just days after taking office for a second term.

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At the time, the President said the UN had “tremendous potential” but “it’s not being well run.”

The UNESCO is tasked with promoting cooperation across those sectors and is best known for its World Heritage list, which includes sites recognised for their special cultural, historical or natural significance.

In the statement, the State Department accused the organisation of working “to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy.”

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