What is UNESCO? What to know as Trump withdraws US from program again

The United States is once again withdrawing from the United Nations' UNESCO program with the Trump administration labeling the organization as "woke" and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay calling the decision "regrettable."

The move, which takes effect at the end of 2026, continues Trump's efforts to pull the U.S. out of international institutions that he has long criticized, something he also did in his first term. Trump previously rejected the organization because of alleged anti-Israel bias.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said UNESCO "supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November."

US 'will always be welcome,' UNESCO says

Azoulay, in a statement, said she "deeply regret(s) President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO," saying that it "contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism."

"The reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the Organization are the same as seven years ago even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism," Azoulay said.

However, Azoulay said the announcement was anticipated and "UNESCO has prepared for it," by undertaking "major structural reforms" and diversifying "funding sources," adding "the organization is not considering any layoffs."

"UNESCO's purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and will always be welcome," the DG said.

Amid the recent development, here's what you need to know about the global organization that aims to promote "cooperation in education, science, culture and communication to foster peace worldwide."

What is UNESCO? What does it do?

UNESCO was founded after World War II to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. The Paris-based organization works to protect biodiversity, respond to artificial intelligence, advance quality education, safeguard heritage, and ensure access to reliable information, according to its website.

One of UNESCO's core missions is also the World Heritage program, which protects historic and cultural sites. It also runs a number of educational programs.

What does UNESCO stand for?

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 

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How many countries are part of UNESCO?

One hundred and ninety-four countries are members of UNESCO, along with 12 associate members, its website says.

What are UNESCO World Heritage sites?

UNESCO seeks to conserve sites by encouraging "the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity," according to its website. "World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."

There are 1,248 UNESCO World Heritage sites in 170 countries, including the pyramids in Egypt, Notre-Dame Cathedral in France and the Statue of Liberty in the U.S.

UNESCO sites in the United States

In chronological order beginning in 1978 and through 2025, here are the 25 sites in the U.S. inscribed on the World Heritage List.

• Mesa Verde National Park 
• Yellowstone National Park 
• Everglades National Park 
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek 
• Independence Hall
• Redwood National and State Parks 
• Mammoth Cave National Park 
• Olympic National Park 
• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site 
• La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico 
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park 
• Statue of Liberty 
• Yosemite National Park 
• Chaco Culture 
• Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville 
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 
• Taos Pueblo 
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
• Papahānaumokuākea
• Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point
• San Antonio Missions
• The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright
• Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

Has the US pulled out from UNESCO before?

Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from UNESCO during his first administration, citing concerns about its approach to Israel.

Joe Biden reversed that decision after taking office in 2021, returning the U.S. to UNESCO.

UNESCO has been a focal point of criticism for years, as USA TODAY previously reported.

The U.S., under the Obama administration, stopped funding UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member in 2011.

The Reagan administration withdrew from the organization in 1984, but President George W. Bush brought the United States back into the group in 2002.

Contributing: Reuters, Camille Fine, Jim Michaels, Zac Anderson / USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.