MELBOURNE, 14 June 2023: The United States (US) is rejoining the 193-member UNESCO from July, 2023. It had left the body along with Israel under the Trump administration in 2017 when Palestine was inducted into it and had in 2011 stop funding it. China’s growing influence has prompted its decision to rejoin the UN body, and it now plans to repay its dues from 2011 onwards.
A media release (12 June 2023) from Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay says, “…the United States of America had officially notified her of its decision to rejoin UNESCO in July 2023, on the basis of a concrete financing plan.
This is a strong act of confidence, in UNESCO and in multilateralism. Not only in the centrality of the Organization’s mandate – culture, education, science, information – but also in the way this mandate is being implemented today.”
The media release adds:
“Indeed, in a letter sent to the Director-General, the U.S. Department of State welcomed the way in which UNESCO had addressed in recent years emerging challenges, modernized its management, and reduced political tensions.
Elected as the head of UNESCO in November 2017, Audrey Azoulay led the mediations that made it possible to reduce political tensions and find consensus on the most sensitive topics, such as the Middle East.
New initiatives have been launched enabling UNESCO to fully tackle contemporary challenges – such as the ethics of artificial intelligence or the protection of the ocean – while emblematic new field campaigns – including the reconstruction of the old city of Mosul, Iraq – have allowed the Organization to reconnect with its historical ambitions. Lastly, administrative reforms, rolled out since 2018, have made UNESCO more efficient and financially sound.
The return of the United States was made possible by the agreement reached by Congress in December 2022 authorizing financial contributions to UNESCO. The U.S. had suspended its contributions in 2011 due to domestic legislation, before notifying UNESCO of its decision to legally withdraw on 12 October 2017.
The proposed financing plan must now be submitted to the General Conference of UNESCO Member States for their approval. Some Member States have requested that an extraordinary session be held soon so a decision can be made.”
A report in dw.com, the US officials say the decision to return to UNESCO is necessitated because the void left by the US quitting was being filled by Beijing. And, ” In March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US absence allowed China to write the rules on artificial intelligence.
“I very much believe we should be back in UNESCO — again, not as a gift to UNESCO, but because things that are happening at UNESCO actually matter,” Blinken told a Senate committee when he presented the budget.
“They are working on rules, norms and standards for artificial intelligence. We want to be there,” he added.
Meanwhile, China has responded. The dw.com says, It appreciated restoration of US membership of UNESCO.
