US Rejoin UNESCO After Five-Year Absence

The United States has formally rejoined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after a five-year absence. The decision was made by the Biden administration, which cited concerns about China's growing influence in the organization.

UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for promoting education, science, culture, and communication. It has 193 member states, and its headquarters is located in Paris, France.

The United States withdrew from UNESCO in 2017 under the Trump administration. The Trump administration cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including UNESCO's alleged anti-Israel bias and its financial mismanagement.

The Biden Administration's Decision

The Biden administration announced in May 2023 that it would apply to rejoin UNESCO. The administration said that the decision was made in order to "reassert American leadership in the world and to promote our values and interests."

The Biden administration also said that it would work to address the concerns that led to the United States' withdrawal from UNESCO in 2017. These concerns include UNESCO's alleged anti-Israel bias and its financial mismanagement.

The Future of US-UNESCO Relations

The United States' rejoining of UNESCO is a significant development. It is a sign that the Biden administration is committed to multilateralism and international cooperation.

The future of US-UNESCO relations is uncertain. However, the Biden administration has said that it is committed to working with UNESCO to address the challenges facing the world today.

Things you must know:

• The United States is the 194th member of UNESCO.
• The Biden administration has requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears.
• The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 and rejoined in 2003.