U.S. says it's leaving UN cultural agency UNESCO, again

The United States on Tuesday announced its decision to pull out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), two years after rejoining.

The move will mark the third time that the U.S. has left the UN agency and the second time during a Donald Trump administration.

According to a U.S. State Department statement on Tuesday, the withdrawal, which will take effect at the end of December 2026, was due to what Washington views as the UN cultural agency's policy to "advance divisive social and cultural causes" over the Israel-Palestine conflicts.

"UNESCO's decision to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization," the statement said.

"Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States," said Tammy Bruce, spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department.

The head of UNESCO said on Tuesday that she regrets the U.S.'s decision to withdraw from the organization but said that the move had come as no surprise.

"I deeply regret President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO," Director-General Audrey Azoulay said. "However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it."

During his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from several major international organizations and agreements, including UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Paris climate accord, and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Upon taking office in 2021, Joe Biden reversed many of those decisions, restoring U.S. participation in UNESCO, the WHO, and the climate agreement.

With Trump back in the White House, the U.S. is once again pulling out from these global institutions, including signing executive orders to quit the Paris climate accord on January 20 and the UNHRC on February 4.

(With input from agencies)