WASHINGTON (OSV News): The Trump administration said on July 22 that it would withdraw the United States from the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO effective 3 December 2026.
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School who specialises in international law and conflict resolution, expressed concern about the decision.
“Leaving UNESCO will deal another blow to the reputation of the United States as a world leader in what matters—peace, human rights, health, the environment, and now culture,” she said.
“The organisation works to protect the international community’s cherished, fragile cultural heritage in all of its forms,” O’Connell explained. “How can we be against that? Cultural heritage represents humanity’s greatest expressions of creativity and appreciation.”
Among the agency’s most well-known work is the UNESCO World Heritage Sites programme, which recognises significant historic and cultural landmarks for protection and preservation, including Catholic sites and cathedrals, including Vatican City and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Leaving UNESCO will deal another blow to the reputation of the United States as a world leader in what matters—peace, human rights, health, the environment, and now culture
Mary Ellen O’Connell
Tammy Bruce, the State Department’s spokesperson, said in a July 22 statement, “Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” alleging the agency “works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy.”
Pope Francis in a 2015 speech at the United Nations in New York called the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “an important sign of hope.”
“UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation,” Bruce said. “Continued US participation in international organisations will focus on advancing American interests with clarity and conviction.”
Instead of taking this damaging step for no purpose, US. foreign policy officials could be using their time to end the starvation of Palestinian children
Mary Ellen O’Connell
The Holy Land’s Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and its pilgrimage route are among the sites in Palestine recognised by the agency. Israel, which formally departed UNESCO in 2019, is a non-member, but there are nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel, according to its website.
Asked about the Trump administration’s objection to UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine, O’Connell said, the US “is abandoning this essential work for no gain.”
She said, “Palestine will not be forced to leave the organisation, but the US will lose all the positive influence it could have as a member.”
She added, “Instead of taking this damaging step for no purpose, US. foreign policy officials could be using their time to end the starvation of Palestinian children,” she said.
In a July 22 statement, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, said, “I deeply regret President Donald Trump’s decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO.”
Azoulay said, “However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it.”
