The United States announced on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, that it will withdraw once more from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), just two years after rejoining the agency.
The decision follows concerns raised by the current administration over the organization’s stance on issues related to Israel and certain global social programs.
The move was confirmed by a White House official, who stated that the decision reflects the administration’s view that UNESCO promotes cultural and social efforts that are not aligned with the values supported by many American voters.
While UNESCO and the White House have not yet released official statements, the development has already sparked international attention.
This marks the second time the U.S. has stepped away from the agency. The country previously left UNESCO in 2018 under former President Trump, citing similar reasons.
It later rejoined in 2023 during President Biden’s term, aiming to restore diplomatic cooperation in areas such as education, science, and global heritage protection.
UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, works with member nations on a wide range of global issues including media freedom, education access, and the preservation of cultural sites.
However, the organization has long faced criticism from U.S. administrations over how it handles resolutions related to Israel and Palestine.
The latest exit may impact funding, as the U.S. has traditionally been one of UNESCO’s largest financial contributors.
It could also affect various ongoing cultural and educational projects that involve American institutions and experts.
The decision aligns with a broader policy shift under the current administration, which is taking a more national-focused approach in international engagement and choosing to step back from global bodies it sees as misaligned with its priorities.