The nation has not been a member of the organization in six years.
The United States has not been a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the President Trump withdrew in 2017. President Biden’s administration has announced the U.S. will rejoin the organization.
Negotiations are taking place between UNESCO and the State Department concerning the payment of a debt the United States owes to the agency. Last December, Congress voted to allot more than $500 million for that purpose. UNESCO must approve the request to rejoin.
Officials have cited concerns over the influence of China in the absence of the U.S. as a reason to rejoin. A spokesperson for the State Department said, “Any such action [rejoining UNESCO] would require concurrence by UNESCO’s current membership.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary of State Blinken as he heads diplomatic efforts around the globe.
- For U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield as she represents this nation.
- For discernment for the president and his advisors as they seek to counter Chinese influence around the world.
Sources: Reuters, Axios, AP
