US to Withdraw From UNESCO by End of 2026

The United States announced its intention to withdraw from UNESCO, the UN's cultural organization, by the end of 2026. This marks the third UN agency President Trump has exited this year, signaling his skepticism towards multilateralism and international bodies. The U.S. previously withdrew funding and participation under the Obama administration after Palestine joined UNESCO, and then fully withdrew during Trump's first term in 2017. The Biden administration rejoined in 2023, aiming to counter growing influence from nations like China within the organization. UNESCO is known for designating World Heritage sites, maintaining intangible cultural heritage lists, and running educational programs focused on literacy, clean water, and gender equality, among other initiatives.