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U.S. announces withdrawal from UNESCO and broader review of international organization participation
Summary
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States informed UNESCO leadership of its decision to withdraw, citing concerns about the organization's focus and a perceived alignment with policy goals the administration opposes; she said this action is part of a wider review of U.S. participation in international organizations.
The United States has informed UNESCO leadership that it will withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday, describing the move as the result of an internal review of U.S. participation in international organizations. Bruce said continued U.S. involvement in UNESCO is —not in the national interest— and criticized the organization—s focus on sustainable development goals and other policy priorities the administration views as —globalist.— She said UNESCO—s admission of the state of Palestine as a member state was —highly problematic— and inconsistent with U.S. policy. The spokesperson positioned the withdrawal as one product of a broader review directed by President Trump—s executive order to assess whether international organizations align with the administration—s priorities and use of U.S. resources. Bruce said similar reviews include USAID and the department—s reorganization and that any changes are meant to —make our involvement smarter, more strategic, faster and more effective.— Discussion-only: Reporters asked whether absences from other international organizations reflected a long-term strategic withdrawal; Bruce said the administration is conducting a review and that reduced staffing or participation in some entities should not be read as isolationism but as a prioritization exercise. Direction/assignment: The department has completed and acted on a review in the case of UNESCO; reviews of other entities are ongoing. Formal action: Notification to UNESCO of U.S. withdrawal (no timetable or legal mechanics detailed in the briefing). Bruce quoted: —The United States informed Director General Audrey Azoulay of The United States' decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.— Less-critical details: Bruce framed the move as aligned with the administration's —America First— foreign-policy review and said further staffing or participation changes are being reviewed across other agencies.
