After Five Years, the U.S. Rejoins UNESCO

The United States has officially rejoined UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) after a five-year absence, announced the organization's Director-General Audrey Azoulay on Tuesday, July 11.

It is noted that in early June, the United States notified UNESCO of its decision to become a member again. Last December, the U.S. Congress approved a membership fee of over $500 million to settle outstanding debts to UNESCO and allow the country to rejoin the organization.

It is worth recalling that the State Department explained the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO in 2017 due to the growing debts owed to the organization, the need for fundamental reforms within UNESCO, and its ongoing anti-Israel policies. The decision took effect a year later.