End of a Decade-Long Dispute as US Seeks to Reassert Influence in Global Cultural Agency
In a significant move highlighting the Biden administration’s commitment to multilateralism, the United States announced its intention to rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from July this year. The decision marks the end of a more than ten-year-long dispute between Washington and the UN cultural agency after the US withdrew from UNESCO in 2018.
The plan to rejoin UNESCO was formalized in a letter submitted by US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard Verma, to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Alongside the reentry, the United States has also pledged to pay more than $600 million in back dues, showcasing its commitment to fulfilling financial obligations to the organization.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed her appreciation for the United States’ decision, stating, “It is a strong act of confidence in UNESCO and in multilateralism.” The move is seen as a significant step toward restoring US influence within the organization, which plays a vital role in promoting global cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
The initial dispute between the US and UNESCO arose in 2011 when the organization voted to include Palestine as a member state, prompting both the US and Israel to halt their funding. Subsequently, in 2013, both countries lost their voting rights, and in 2017, the Trump administration decided to withdraw from the agency altogether.
The decision to rejoin UNESCO comes as US officials express concerns over China’s growing influence in the organization’s policymaking, particularly regarding artificial intelligence and technology education on a global scale. It is believed that the US wants to fill the gap left by its absence and ensure that its interests and values are adequately represented in UNESCO’s decision-making processes.
Audrey Azoulay, who has been instrumental in strengthening UNESCO’s initiatives and modernizing its operations, stated, “The US decision to come back is the result of five years of work, during which we calmed tensions, notably on the Middle East, improved our response to contemporary challenges, resumed major initiatives on the ground, and modernized the functioning of the organization.”
To support its renewed commitment, the Biden administration has requested $150 million in the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears, a significant contribution toward the agency’s outstanding debt of $619 million. The United States was previously a major contributor to UNESCO, providing 22% of its overall funding before its withdrawal.
The reentry of the United States into UNESCO is expected to have a positive impact on the organization’s ability to address global challenges and promote international cooperation in fields such as education, science, culture, and communication. It also signifies the Biden administration’s commitment to restoring alliances and engaging in multilateral diplomacy to tackle global issues collectively.
As the United States reclaims its position within UNESCO, the international community anticipates a renewed era of collaboration and cooperation in advancing the organization’s mission of building peace through the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cultural understanding.
