Subject: International Relations

The withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO in 2017 highlighted the complex interplay between cultural diplomacy, geopolitical tensions, and institutional challenges faced by international organizations.

Financial Challenges

• Budget Constraints: UNESCO's operational capacity was severely impacted with an adjusted budget of $1.5 billion in 2022, struggling to fulfill its mandate in education, science, and cultural preservation.

• Funding Structure: The organization relies on a dual funding mechanism of:

  • Assessed Contributions: Mandatory payments from member states.
  • Voluntary Contributions: Additional support through flexible, earmarked, and multi-donor funding.

Political Controversies

• US-Israel Position:

  • The US withdrawal in 2017 was prompted by allegations of anti-Israel bias and concerns over financial arrears.
  • Israel's subsequent exit further weakened UNESCO's universal character.

• Palestine Issue:

  • UNESCO's Executive Board resolutions in April 2025 on "Occupied Palestine" and "Cultural and Educational Institutions" called for:
    • Halting Israeli construction in occupied Jerusalem and Hebron.
    • Ending Israeli settlement activities.

Impact and Recent Developments

• Organizational Reforms:

  • Implementation of administrative reforms to enhance transparency.
  • Efforts to maintain political neutrality in cultural preservation.

• Diplomatic Breakthrough:

  • US rejoining in 2023 marked a significant shift in diplomatic relations.
  • Enhanced potential for global cultural cooperation and heritage protection.

Way Forward

• Financial Sustainability: Need for diversified funding sources and robust financial management.
• Balanced Approach: Maintaining cultural objectivity while addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.

The recent US reentry into UNESCO in 2023 signals a positive shift towards strengthening multilateral cultural cooperation, though challenges remain in balancing political sensitivities with the organization's core mandate of promoting international collaboration in education, science, and culture.