The U.S. return to Unesco in Paris is largely based on concerns that China will fill the leadership vacancy since the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO under the Trump administration.
Release date – 12:15, Wednesday – July 23
Washington: The United States formally rejoined the scientific, educational and cultural organization of the United Nations on Tuesday after a five-year absence.
The U.S. return to the Paris-based Unesco is largely based on concerns that China will fill the leadership vacancy since the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO under the Trump administration. The UNESCO Council voted last week to approve the Biden administration’s proposal for the United States to rejoin the United Nations.
On Monday, the United States submitted a document certifying that it would accept the invitation. On Tuesday, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said it was official. A flag-raising ceremony and VIP welcome ceremony are expected at the end of July.
“This is great news for UNESCO. The momentum we have regained in recent years will now continue to grow. Our initiatives will grow stronger around the world,” said Azoulay.
The Biden administration announced last month that it would apply to rejoin the 193-member group, which plays an important role in setting international standards for artificial intelligence and technology education. The United States is now the 194th member state of UNESCO.
“Our organization is moving toward universality again,” Azoulay said. She called the U.S. return “great news for multilateralism as a whole.” If we are to meet the challenges of this century, there can only be a collective response. In 2017, the Trump administration announced the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias. The decision took effect a year later.
After UNESCO voted to admit Palestine as a member in 2011, the United States and Israel stopped funding the organization.
The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to cover UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan expects to make similar claims over the next few years until the $619 million in debt is fully paid off.
This represents a significant portion of UNESCO’s annual operating budget of US$ 534 million. Before leaving, the U.S. contributed 22 percent of the agency’s total funding.
The United States withdrew from UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it believed the institution was mismanaged, corrupt and being used to advance Soviet interests. It was rejoined in 2003 during the George W. Bush presidency.
