The U.S. will withdraw from UNESCO, effective at the end of 2026. The State Department criticized UNESCO for promoting divisive social and cultural causes and for its focus on sustainable development goals. UNESCO is known for its World Heritage sites, which include U.S. locations like the Statue of Liberty and Yosemite National Park. The withdrawal is seen as contradictory to principles of multilateralism by UNESCO's director general, who noted potential impacts on partnerships within the U.S. related to World Heritage site recognition and funding.
The Trump administration will withdraw the U.S. from UNESCO, stating that involvement in the agency is "not in the national interest of the United States" due to its focus on "divisive social and cultural causes."
UNESCO's director general, Audrey Azoulay, found the decision disappointing but predicted it, emphasizing that the withdrawal contradicts multilateralism and could harm partners in the U.S. seeking World Heritage site inscription.
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