US to leave Unesco again, as Trump continues international withdrawals
Trump has criticised international groups, withdrawing from the WHO, UN Human Rights Council, a climate accord, and the Iran nuclear deal in his first term
“Unesco works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsize focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
The head of Unesco said on Tuesday she regretted the US decision, but added the move had come as no surprise.
“I deeply regret President Donald Trump’s decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from Unesco,” Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.
“However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and Unesco has prepared for it”.
The move is a blow to the Paris-based agency, founded after World War II to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture.
