The United States rejoined UNESCO after the funding agreement

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced this Friday (June 30, 2023) that the country has returned to UNESCO. Members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization met this week in an extraordinary session to consider the US-funded proposal. Authority returns to the organization with full membership privileges.

In June, the United States sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, proposing to rejoin the organization in July based on the funding plan. The proposal included a commitment to pay its estimated outstanding balance of $619 million.

On Thursday (29.jun), the organization’s 193 states gathered in an extraordinary session of the General Assembly to examine the North American proposal. This Friday (June 30. June) afternoon they adopted the proposal with 132 votes in favor and 10 against. The United States returns fully to UNESCO in July.

“I am encouraged and grateful that members have adopted our proposal today, which will allow the United States to take the next formal steps toward full membership of the organization.”Blinken said Declaration Published by the US State Department. The country again funds 22% of UNESCO’s budget.

Once the US returns, Azoulay said, the international organization will be in a stronger position to carry out its functions. “This is a great day for UNESCO and for diversity. Building on the momentum gained in recent years, our organization is once again moving toward globality with this visit to the United States.said Notice UNESCO published this 6th (30.June).

In October 2017, former US President Donald Trump announced the complete withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO. The US State Department said at the time that the US was withdrawing because of this “Persistent Anti-Israel Prejudice”. The country was opposed to recognizing the Palestinian state as a full member in 2011, and in the same year it began reducing financial contributions to the organization.