The United States of America rejoins UNESCO.

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July 1, 2023

The United States of America rejoins UNESCO.

UNESCO’s 193 Member States, meeting for an Extraordinary Session of the General Conference on Friday, voted by a vast majority to approve the proposal submitted by the United States to rejoin the Organization.
With this return, UNESCO will be in an even stronger position to carry out its Mandate — UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

UNESCO, USA

Paris, June 30, 2023 — On June 8, 2023, the United States sent a letter to the Director-General of UNESCO, proposing to rejoin the Organization as early as July based on a concrete financial plan, which includes a commitment to repay its estimated arrears of $619 million.

“It’s a great day for UNESCO and multilateralism. Building upon the momentum achieved in recent years, our Organization is again moving towards universalism with this return of the United States,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay remarked.

UNESCO’s 193 member states met on Thursday for an extraordinary session of the General Conference to examine this proposal. On Friday afternoon, they adopted the American proposal by a vast majority. It fulfills all the conditions for a total return of the United States to UNESCO in July. (132 Votes in Favor, 10 Votes Against).

• A Reinforced Budget to implement its Mandate

The United States will fund the equivalent of 22% of the Organization’s regular budget. To this will be added the progressive payment of their arrears and, as of 2023, voluntary contributions to fund programs, including those supporting access to education and the protection of journalists.

Thus, UNESCO will benefit from a reinforced budget to implement its education, culture, science, and information programs. It will also be able to step up its actions for Africa and gender equality, two of its strategic priorities.

• A Return that Underscores UNESCO’s Central Role

Elected to head the Organization in November 2017, Audrey Azoulay has led mediations to ease political tensions and find consensus on the most sensitive topics, such as the Middle East. She has also reformed the Organization to make it more efficient.

“UNESCO’s Mandate - education, science, culture, freedom of information - is central to meeting the challenges of the 21st century. This centrality, as well as the easing of political tensions within the Organization and the initiatives launched in recent years, have led the United States to initiate this return,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated.

UNESCO has thus been able to launch new initiatives enabling it to fully grasp the challenges of today - such as the ethics of artificial intelligence and the protection of oceans.

In a letter sent to UNESCO’s Director-General at the beginning of June, the United States refers to these reforms and initiatives among the reasons for its return.

Source: UNESCO

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— The Editor is a Higher Education Consultant certified by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning in Paris.

Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:47 AM | Link to this Post