In a significant move, the United States announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Tuesday, marking it as the third UN body the nation has exited under President Donald Trump's administration. The decision, according to a press statement from the Department of State, is driven by UNESCO's stance on Palestinian statehood and its broader agenda, which the US deems contrary to its "America First" foreign policy.

The statement criticized UNESCO for promoting "divisive social and cultural causes" and having an "outsized focus" on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which it described as a "globalist, ideological agenda." Particularly contentious was UNESCO's decision to admit Palestine as a Member State, which the US views as "highly problematic" and a factor in the spread of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.

This action follows President Trump’s executive order in February, which initiated a reevaluation of US involvement in various international organizations, leading to subsequent withdrawals from the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Relief and Works Agency. The order included a 90-day review period specifically for UNESCO to assess its alignment with US interests, culminating in this withdrawal decision.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the US's role on the international stage, particularly concerning its arms exports to Israel. Just last week, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination started an inquiry into the arms provided by the US and Canada to Israel, pointing to significant responsibilities on the part of the US regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Founded in the aftermath of World War II, UNESCO's mission has been to foster peace through education, science, culture, and information. In 2024 alone, UNESCO aided 60 countries in incorporating ethics into their domestic policies on Artificial Intelligence, highlighting its ongoing commitment to global educational and cultural development.

The official cessation of the US's membership in UNESCO is scheduled for December 31, 2026. This withdrawal not only underscores the current administration's stance on UN engagements but also raises questions about the future of international cooperation in these key cultural and educational areas.