United States to Withdraw from UNESCO, Citing Divisive Agendas and Anti-Israel Bias

Washington, D.C. – The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective December 31, 2026. This move was officially communicated to Director-General Audrey Azoulay on July 22, 2025.

The U.S. government stated that continued involvement in UNESCO is no longer in the national interest, accusing the organization of promoting “divisive social and cultural causes” and an “outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.” These goals were described as a “globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy.”

A significant factor in the withdrawal is UNESCO’s decision to admit the “State of Palestine” as a Member State, which the U.S. deems “highly problematic” and contrary to its policy, contributing to “anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.”

The United States plans for its future engagement in international organizations to be firmly rooted in advancing American interests with clarity and conviction. The U.S. will remain a full member of UNESCO until the withdrawal date.