White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly announced that the United States will leave UNESCO again at the end of next year.
White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly announced that US President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The decision was reportedly taken on the grounds that UNESCO exhibits ‘anti-Israel bias’.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay regretted the US decision to withdraw, but rejected the accusations of anti-Israel bias, stating that this decision was an expected development and that the organization was prepared for it.
The withdrawal will officially take effect at the end of December 2026. This decision will be the US's third withdrawal from UNESCO and the second under the Trump administration. The US last rejoined UNESCO in 2023 under the Biden administration.