PARIS (AP) — The United States has announced its intention to rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after a long dispute over its inclusion of Palestine as a member. went. As part of the settlement, the United States will pay more than $600 million in outstanding debts. Concern over China’s growing influence in UNESCO policy-making, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and technology education, was cited as the main motivation behind the US move.
The decision is expected to be voted on by UNESCO member states in the coming weeks, with approval expected following a positive reception of the announcement at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters. Notably, no objection was raised to the withdrawal of the US, once the agency’s largest funder.
After Palestine became a member in 2011, the United States and Israel stopped their financial support to UNESCO. Subsequently, the Trump administration decided to withdraw from the organization entirely in 2018, citing long-standing anti-Israel bias and administrative problems.
UNESCO’s director-general, Audrey Azoulay, has made efforts to address these concerns since taking office in 2017, and her efforts appear to have paid off. Azoulay called the US decision a historic moment for UNESCO and emphasized its importance for multilateralism.
Richard Verma, the US Under Secretary of State for Management and Resources, submitted a letter to Azoulay last week formalizing the rejoining plan. The letter, obtained by The Associated Press, acknowledged progress in depoliticizing the Middle East dialogue and reforming the agency’s management.
The return of the United States to UNESCO will strengthen the organization, which is known for initiatives such as the World Heritage Program, climate change mitigation projects, and promoting girls’ education. While the initial fallout between the US and UNESCO was triggered by Palestinian membership, the US decision now reflects concern over China’s growing influence.
John Bass, Under Secretary of State for Management, said in March that the absence of the United States from UNESCO has strengthened China and weakened America’s ability to promote its vision of a free world. Bass highlighted UNESCO’s role in creating global standards for technology and science education, stressing that the U.S. can no longer afford to be absent from China in the digital age.
It is important to note that despite its membership in UNESCO, the US decision does not address the status of Palestine. The Israeli government did not respond to the US decision, and the Palestinian ambassador to UNESCO declined to comment. However, China’s ambassador expressed hope that the US withdrawal was a sign of commitment to the organization’s mission and goals.
Azoulay, who is of Jewish heritage, received widespread acclaim for her personal efforts to build consensus among Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli diplomats on sensitive UNESCO resolutions. He also spoke with members of the Democratic and Republican parties in Congress to explain his actions. As a result of the bilateral talks, he expressed confidence that the US decision to withdraw is a long-term commitment, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
Under the plan, the U.S. government will pay off its 2023 obligations and provide an additional $10 million in bonus aid this year, which will go toward Holocaust education, cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine, safety of journalists, and science and technology education in Africa. are allocated for The Biden administration has already requested $150 million in the 2024 budget to cover UNESCO’s liabilities and arrears. The plan envisions similar requests in subsequent years until the entire $619 million debt is paid off.
This financial commitment from the United States is a substantial part of UNESCO’s annual operating budget of $534 million. Before its withdrawal, the United States contributed 22% of the agency’s funding.
A UNESCO diplomat hoped the US return would lead to more ambitious and calmer programs, documenting efforts to regulate artificial intelligence, girls’ education in Afghanistan, and victims of slavery in the Caribbean. will go The diplomat also indicated that Israel would be welcome if it decided to rejoin, although there was no immediate response from the Israeli government.
Israel has long accused the United Nations of bias against it. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the State of Palestine as a non-member observer state, despite Israeli objections. Palestinians want independence in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip — territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war.
