US to Exit UNESCO Again by 2026 China Criticizes Move as Irresponsible
WASHINGTON/BEIJING – The United States has announced it will withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by December 2026, citing claims of anti-Israel bias and the promotion of divisive agendas.
A spokesperson for the U.S. government confirmed the decision on Tuesday, reigniting concerns about America’s commitment to international cooperation. This marks the third time the U.S. has exited the organization, following previous withdrawals in the 1980s and 2017 under then-President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden had rejoined UNESCO during his current term, but the upcoming withdrawal follows Trump’s renewed push to disengage from several global institutions.
Reacting sharply to the announcement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday, “This is not the action that a responsible major country should take.” He added, “China has always firmly supported the work of UNESCO.”
Guo further criticized Washington’s history of withholding membership dues and emphasized that China remains committed to multilateralism. “We call on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and take concrete actions to support the international system with the UN at its core,” he said.
UNESCO is best known for its designation of World Heritage Sites and efforts in global education and culture. The U.S. decision to quit the agency once again underscores the deepening ideological divide over the role of international institutions in global governance.
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