The United States today announced it will withdraw from the UNESCO, accusing the United Nations' cultural body of “anti-Israel” bias and cited the need for “fundamental reform” in the organisation.
The withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2018. The U.S. will remain a full member of the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation until then.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti- Israel bias at UNESCO,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.
She said the Department of State today notified UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organisation and to seek to establish a "permanent observer" mission to UNESCO.
“The U.S. indicated to the Director General its desire to remain engaged with UNESCO as a non-member observer state in order to contribute US views, perspectives and expertise on some of the important issues undertaken by the organisation, including the protection of world heritage, advocating for press freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration and education,” Nauert said.
Bokova voiced “profound regret” over the U.S. decision, calling it a “loss to multilateralism”.
🔴OFFICIAL: UNESCO Director-General expresses profound regret at US decision to withdraw from UNESCO. https://t.co/KoOMd3Kl9H https://t.co/Mj1BZXIOAF
“After receiving official notification by the U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, as UNESCO Director-General, I wish to express profound regret at the decision of the US to withdraw from UNESCO,” Bokova in a statement.
At a time when conflicts continue to tear societies apart across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the U.S. to withdraw from the UN cultural body promoting education for peace and protecting cultures under attack, she added.
In 2011, under the Obama administration, the U.S. cut is budget contribution to the agency to its acceptance of Palestine as a member-state. President Donald Trump has criticised what he called a disproportionate contribution by the U.S. to UN institutions.
The U.S. funds 22 percent of the UN's regular budget.The withdrawal is also motivated by a desire to save money, the Foreign Policy magazine reported. And this is not the first time. The Ronald Reagan administration quit the organisation in the 1984. The U.S. rejoined in 2002 under the George W Bush administration, the magazine said.
Paris-based UNESCO, which began work in 1946, is known for designating World Heritage sites.
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