UNESCO Withdrawal: US Says It Quits Because Agency Supports 'Woke, Divisive' Causes

The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from UNESCO, formally notifying Director-General Audrey Azoulay on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. The decision will see the US end its membership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation effective 31 December 2026, in line with Article II(6) of UNESCO's constitution.

The White House declared the move 'not in the national interest'. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce outlined the rationale in a formal statement, which was also made public.

US Cites UNESCO's 'Woke' Policies as Reason for Leaving

Officials in Washington have pointed to what they call UNESCO's 'woke, divisive cultural and social causes' as the driving force behind the withdrawal.

In the official press release, Tammy Bruce criticised UNESCO's focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, describing them as a 'globalist, ideological agenda' incompatible with the US's 'America First' policy.

One major point of contention is UNESCO's 2011 decision to admit the State of Palestine as a member—a move the US sees as inconsistent with its foreign policy and as contributing to anti-Israel sentiment within the organisation.

White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly stated President Donald Trump opted to leave UNESCO because the agency backs social and cultural causes that are 'totally out of step with the commonsense policies' favoured by Americans since the last election.

The announcement follows a 90-day review earlier in 2025, which flagged concerns about UNESCO's failure to reform, persistent anti-Israel positions, and unpaid US dues.

Loss of US Funding Threatens UNESCO Programmes

UNESCO's global work in education, heritage preservation, and combating hate speech now faces uncertainty as US funding is withdrawn. Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret, warning the decision undermines multilateralism and could disadvantage US communities seeking World Heritage status or cultural recognition.

Azoulay noted the agency had prepared for such an outcome by diversifying its funding base. At present, the US provides around 8% of UNESCO's budget, according to The Guardian.

Global Reaction Divided

Reactions to the US decision have been mixed. French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France's strong support for UNESCO, while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the move as a step towards justice and better treatment of Israel at the United Nations.

US Moves Away from Global Institutions

The UNESCO withdrawal is part of a broader trend of the US pulling back from international organisations. The Trump administration has also taken steps to leave the World Health Organisation, cut funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, and exit the UN Human Rights Council.

These decisions reflect a wider 'America First' strategy aimed at reducing US involvement in global bodies perceived as running counter to American interests.

However, the administration has clarified that the US will continue to engage in international forums when doing so clearly serves national priorities.