U.S. Withdraws from UNESCO, Furthering Isolationist Policies
United States
Photo Credit: Fred Romero
The Decision Builds Upon the Administration’s Attacks on International Human Rights Bodies and its Hostility Towards Artistic Freedom and International Cooperation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 July 2025
(NEW YORK) – ARC – Artists at Risk Connection expresses grave concerns over the U.S. administration’s announcement that it will fully withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective December 31, 2026. Following a 90-day “review” launched in February, this decision marks a continued retreat from institutions that protect human rights, artistic freedom, and cultural heritage. ARC strongly urges Congress to oppose this latest rollback of U.S. global engagement and ensure continued participation in UNESCO and other vital human rights and cultural institutions.
“The United States withdrawal from UNESCO undermines one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to defending artistic freedom, safeguarding cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive, democratic values,” said ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault. “The administration’s pattern of hostility towards multilateral institutions and the cultural sector at large is deeply troubling, and has already produced a significant chilling effect on creative expression and participation in culture. At a time when authoritarian forces are gaining ground globally, and historical and cultural sites are at risk of erasure, UNESCO is more critical than ever.”
The decision to withdraw from UNESCO reflects President Trump’s second-term drive, often articulated in ideological terms, to end U.S. participation in multilateral bodies. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce justified the administration’s decision, accusing UNESCO of promoting “woke, divisive, social and cultural causes” and displaying “anti-Israel sentiment,” referencing the agency’s 2011 admission of Palestine as a full member. U.S. funding represents 8% of the agency’s budget. This move follows U.S. withdrawals from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The decision also comes on the heels of Executive Order 14169, which froze new foreign aid disbursements for 90 days and accelerated the effective dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
About ARC
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing the right to artistic freedom worldwide. Founded in 2017, ARC works to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. By providing vital resources and support, ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors—whether for their artistic expression or the broader impact they have on cultural, social, and political issues.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Elias Ephron
eephron@artistsatriskconnection.org