United States Officially Rejoins UNESCO, Boosting Support for Education, Culture, and Press Freedom
In a historic moment, the United States has officially rejoined the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as its 194th member nation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called UNESCO’s Director General Audrey Azoulay to inform her that the necessary documents for entry had been signed and delivered. Azoulay expressed her excitement on Twitter, stating that UNESCO now has 194 Member States and is moving towards universality. This move marks the return of the U.S. to UNESCO after leaving during the Trump administration.
UNESCO is best known for its formal identification of World Heritage Sites, including iconic landmarks such as Yellowstone National Park, Egypt’s pyramids, and India’s Taj Mahal. However, U.S. membership in the agency has been a point of contention in Washington for decades due to allegations of bias. Despite the political challenges, the return of the U.S. brings additional resources to support UNESCO’s work. Azoulay believes that this will enable the agency to provide even better support for education, culture, science, and press freedom worldwide.
The U.S. has a complex history with UNESCO. President Ronald Reagan withdrew the country from the organization in 1983, but it was later reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2002. In 2011, President Barack Obama was required by law to halt U.S. funding for UNESCO after its members voted to grant the Palestinian delegation membership. The Trump administration then completely withdrew the U.S. from the agency in 2018, citing alleged bias against Israel. However, UNESCO acknowledged the positive changes it had made in recent years, including modernizing its management and reducing political tensions.
The Biden administration’s decision to propose re-entry into UNESCO was based on several factors. Firstly, the U.S. Congress granted a waiver allowing the country to resume funding for the agency. Secondly, the administration plans to provide $10 million in private voluntary funding to support UNESCO’s programming for Holocaust education, journalist safety, cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine, and STEM education in Africa. The administration also intends to request $150 million from Congress in 2024 to pay its bill and contribute to U.S. arrears.
The renewal of U.S. contribution to UNESCO has been welcomed by various organizations. The World Jewish Congress expressed hope that the additional resources would enable UNESCO to expand its Holocaust education and remembrance programs. The decision to rejoin UNESCO also reflects the Biden administration’s determination to counter China’s rising influence in the United Nations. By actively engaging in U.N. institutions like UNESCO, the U.S. aims to regain ground lost during the previous administration’s anti-U.N. stance and address key opportunities in the global competition with China.
The U.S. proposal for re-entry into UNESCO will be confirmed at the July General Conference meeting of UNESCO members. This move marks an important step in strengthening international cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, and press freedom. As the U.S. rejoins UNESCO, it is expected to play a significant role in supporting the agency’s mission and working towards a more inclusive and universal approach to global challenges.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-07-11 23:14:00
Comments are closed.