U.S. To Pull Out of UNESCO

Syllabus: GS2/ International Institutions

In News

• The United States has decided to withdraw from the UN cultural and education agency UNESCO.

Reasons cited by US for the Withdrawal

• Alleged anti-Israel bias.
• The US has stated that UNESCO promotes social and cultural causes that are “out-of-step” with “America First” foreign policy.
• The US has lingering concerns about the need for fundamental reform within the organization.

Impacts of US Withdrawal from UNESCO

• Financial and Structural: The US is a significant funder & its withdrawal impacts UNESCO’s budget, threatening program continuity in education, culture, and heritage conservation.
• Global Heritage and Science: UNESCO oversees World Heritage Sites, including 26 in the US (Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon, etc.). US sites may lose funding for preservation and miss opportunities for new inclusions.
• Geopolitical and Diplomatic: US absence creates vacuums for other powers (notably China) to boost influence in setting global norms and priorities. Seen as a retreat from multilateralism which may embolden other states to deprioritize UN agencies.

About UNESCO

• Foundation: Established in 1945 after World War II, its constitution came into force in 1946.
• Objective: It aims to foster peace through cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Members: 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members (as of July 2025, the USA rejoined in July 2023).
• Governing Bodies: General Conference and Executive Board.
• Important reports from UNESCO: Global Education Monitoring Report
  • The United Nations World Water Development Report
  • UNESCO Science Report: Towards 2030
  • Global Ocean Science Report
• Key Programs and Initiatives: Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme (1971), International Hydrological Programme (IHP), Global Geoparks Network, World Heritage Convention (1972), UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) etc.

India and UNESCO

• About: India is a founding member of UNESCO and has two offices in India (since 1948).
• World Heritage Sites: India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of July 2025 (36 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed site). The latest addition in 2025 is the Maratha Military Landscapes of India (12 forts).
  • Examples of Cultural Sites: Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, Mahabalipuram, Sun Temple Konark, Churches and Convents of Goa, Fatehpur Sikri, Hampi, Khajuraho, Red Fort Complex, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Jaipur City, Dholavira, Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, Santiniketan.
  • Examples of Natural Sites: Kaziranga National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarbans National Park, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Western Ghats, Great Himalayan National Park.
  • Mixed Site: Khangchendzonga National Park.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Several Indian traditions are inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
  • Examples: Tradition of Vedic Chanting, Ramlila, Kutiyattam, Chhau Dance, Kalbelia Folk Songs and Dances of Rajasthan, Mudiyettu, Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh, Sankirtana of Manipur, Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja in Kolkata, Garba of Gujarat.
• Creative Cities Network: Several Indian cities are part of UCCN: Varanasi (Music), Jaipur (Crafts and Folk Art), Chennai (Music), Hyderabad (Gastronomy), Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Art), Gwalior (Music), Kozhikode (Literature).
• Biosphere Reserves: India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, with 12 recognized internationally under the MAB program.

Source: TH