• The US will withdraw from UNESCO effective December 31, 2026, marking its third departure from the agency.
• Key reasons cited include UNESCO's perceived support for 'woke' causes and anti-Israel bias stemming from Palestine's membership.
• The withdrawal follows a review ordered by Trump’s administration, echoing concerns from previous exits.
• UNESCO's Director-General expressed regret over the decision, stating it contradicts the principles of multilateral cooperation.
• China criticized the US decision, calling it irresponsible for a major global power.

On July 22, 2025, the United States announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective December 31, 2026. This move marks the third time the US has exited the Paris-based agency, with the Trump administration citing concerns such as the organization's 'woke' agenda and perceived anti-Israel bias due to Palestine’s membership, which the US deems "highly problematic" according to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, as reported by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The administration has consistently expressed that involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest, arguing that the agency promotes "divisive social and cultural causes" that conflict with the "America First" policy, as detailed by NPR and Al Jazeera.

UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, remarked that the withdrawal was "deeply regrettable" but anticipated. She pointed out that the agency had diversified its funding sources, receiving only about 8% of its budget from the US. UNESCO is known for facilitating cultural heritage and global cooperation in education and science, as reported by BBC and Los Angeles Times.

China has responded critically to the US decision, arguing it undermines global cooperation and depicting the US behavior as irresponsible for a major global power while calling for a reaffirmation of commitment to multilateralism, as stated by Newsweek and Africa News.