A very large majority of the 193 member states of UNESCO approved the proposal presented by the United States to rejoin the organization during the extraordinary session of the General Conference on Friday. UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, stated that the return of the United States to UNESCO would strengthen the organization's ability to carry out its mandated responsibilities, calling it "a great day for UNESCO and multilateralism." She added, "Thanks to the momentum our organization has regained in recent years, it is moving towards inclusiveness again with the return of the United States."
In detail, the United States sent a letter to UNESCO's Director-General on June 8, 2023, requesting to rejoin the organization starting in July, on the basis of a concrete financial proposal, as well as a commitment to pay its arrears estimated at $619 million. The member states convened during an extraordinary session of the General Conference that began on Thursday to decide on this proposal, and a very large majority of member states adopted the U.S. proposal on Friday afternoon. All conditions have been met for the United States' full return to UNESCO in July.
**Strengthening the Organization's Budget**
The United States will fund approximately 22 percent of the organization’s regular budget, and it will also repay its arrears gradually. Additionally, it will begin to provide voluntary contributions starting in 2023, to fund programs dedicated to education in Africa, commemorating the Holocaust, and protecting journalists. Consequently, UNESCO will experience a budget increase to implement its programs dedicated to education, culture, science, and information, enabling it to intensify efforts that serve the organization’s two strategic priorities: Africa and gender equality.
