United Nations : United States To Withdraw From UNESCO

United States will once more withdraw from the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO. The decision to pull U.S. funding and participation from UNESCO comes two years after the Biden administration rejoined following a five-year absence that began during President Donald Trump’s first term. The concerns cited by the White House are similar to those he put forth in 2018. 
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement that the withdrawal was linked to UNESCO’s perceived agenda to “advance divisive social and cultural causes.” She added that UNESCO’s decision in 2011 “to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.”
The US financial contribution that previously accounted for 20% of the budget is now around 8%, according to the Director-General of UNESCO. Despite this, the US remains the largest single funder, followed by China, according to a recent UNESCO report. UNESCO has been diversifying its funding sources and has seen an increase in voluntary contributions from member States and private donors.
The US withdrawal further decreases the nation's influence in international organizations and could allow China to increase its influence within the UN system, according to Axios. The decision highlights the challenges facing international institutions and the need for diverse fun...