United States
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US Officially Withdraws from UNESCO for Third Time: Withdrawal Effective End of 2025
The United States has announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, effective December 31, 2026. This is the third time the U.S. has exited the organization. The U.S. State Department cited concerns over UNESCO’s “divisive” agendas, overemphasis on UN goals, and misalignment with U.S. foreign policy priorities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed regret. Previous U.S. withdrawals occurred in 1984 and 2018, with a rejoining in 2003 and again in 2023 before this latest decision.
