Mirror Review
July 23, 2025
Summary:
- On July 22, 2025, the US announced its withdrawal from UNESCO by December 31, 2026, citing misalignment with national interests.
- Officials pointed to UNESCO’s support for “woke” causes and Palestine’s membership as primary reasons.
- This is the third time the US has taken an exit from the UN cultural agency, after exits in 1984 and 2017.
“UNESCO’s globalist agenda doesn’t align with America First,” said State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce in the official statement on July 22, 2025.
With that, the US confirmed it will pull out of UNESCO, meaning the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, by the end of 2026.
But before closing this chapter again, it’s worth asking:
What has the US actually contributed to UNESCO since its founding in 1945?
The 10 Biggest Contributions of the US to UNESCO
Despite recent tensions, the United States has been one of the most influential members of UNESCO since its founding. So here’s a closer look at ten US Contributions to UNESCO that have shaped the organization and its global work.
1. Founding Architect of UNESCO
Americans were central to UNESCO’s creation after World War II.
Archibald MacLeish, an American Poet and the first American on UNESCO’s governing board, wrote the preamble to its 1945 constitution.
His core idea was:
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”
This founding principle still defines UNESCO’s work.
2. Largest Fund Contributor for Decades
Historically, the United States was the largest single financial contributor.
The US has provided 22% of UNESCO’s assessed budget, which amounts to about $80 million annually.
And as of early 2025, its assessed contribution stood at over $150 million.
3. Promoting Holocaust Education
The U.S. has been a key supporter of UNESCO’s Holocaust education programs.
These programs are designed to combat Holocaust denial, anti-semitism, and prevent future genocides, a cause UNESCO’s Director-General noted as a main area of effort.
4. Education for Global Peace
US funds have directly supported UNESCO’s “Education for All” goals, including literacy and curriculum development in Iraq and literacy training for Afghan police.
In fragile states, the U.S. backed UNESCO projects like promoting education to support nation-building in South Sudan.
7 . Encouraging Scientific Collaboration
A main part of the U.S. mission within UNESCO was to increase scientific collaboration.
This included funding practical projects like the exploration of groundwater resources to fight drought in the Horn of Africa.
US agencies like NASA and NOAA also contributed to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. They supply satellite and marine data that support climate monitoring, tsunami alerts, and ocean preservation.
6. Promoting Justice and Transparency
The U.S. contributed to governance programs, such as a project to improve the transparency and accountability of the judiciary in Iraq.
7. Preserving World Culture
As a member state, the U.S. actively worked to preserve culture and promote the democratic values shared by both the U.S. and UNESCO.
American cities like Austin (Music) and Santa Fe (Crafts & Folk Art) joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. They drive global recognition for local industries and sustainable development through culture.
8. Supporting Freedom of Information
Encouraging freedom of information has been another pillar of U.S. involvement, aligning with UNESCO’s goal to strengthen the rule of law and freedom of expression.
The US supported UNESCO’s global campaigns on World Press Freedom Day, which helped protect journalists under threat. It also contributed to media literacy and safety training programs.
9. Ethics in AI and Digital Governance
US representatives helped frame early debates around AI ethics, internet rights, and digital inclusion. This influenced UNESCO’s first-ever global agreement on AI ethics, adopted in 2021.
10. Fighting Illicit Artifact Trafficking
One of the lesser-known but highly impactful areas where the US made a difference was in helping protect global cultural heritage from illegal trade.
Under the 1970 UNESCO Convention, the US actively worked through partnerships with customs and museums to help recover and return stolen items to their countries of origin.
For example, in 2021, the US returned over 17,000 artifacts to Iraq, including rare Sumerian tablets and seals that had been smuggled and sold illegally.
The US also assisted Italy and Egypt in tracking and retrieving historical items like ancient Roman statues and Egyptian funerary objects.
Why Is the US Withdrawing Again?
The US withdrawal from the UNSCO was announced under the Trump administration.
The official reason: UNESCO’s focus on “woke” causes and its acceptance of the “State of Palestine” as a full member—something the US views as politically biased and against its foreign policy.
The statement also argued that the organization’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) clashes with US policy goals.
Israel supported the move with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stating, “This step promotes justice and Israel’s fair treatment.”
But, on the other hand, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the decision “regrettable” and warned it could harm collaboration with US institutions, including universities and heritage sites.
What Happens After the US Exits?
The US exit from UNESCO won’t take effect until December 31, 2026, giving the US two more years to engage in any ongoing projects.
But unless policy shifts again, its role in UNESCO’s future will be drastically reduced.
UNESCO has also indicated it will continue working with US-based communities and academic institutions, even without federal backing.
Still, critics argue that disengaging weakens the US voice in global decision-making.
Furthermore, this decision has allowed other nations to increase their influence as countries like France and Canada have pledged stronger support to fill the gap.
China has now become UNESCO’s largest financial contributor and has sought to use the organization to fuel its own strategic interests, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Why the US Exit From UNESCO Matters?
This third exit from UNESCO shows how the US sees its place in the world: as a country questioning multilateral platforms unless they serve direct national interests.
But the legacy of the US Contributions to UNESCO is undeniable since the US has been a long supporter of education, press freedom, cultural heritage, and climate science.
So, whether the US chooses to rejoin in the future or not, its contributions helped build much of what the organization is today.
