Focus

US says it intends to rejoin Unesco

12 Jun 2023 11:17pm
Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay delivers a speech to announce the United States' request to return to the institution, at the Unesco headquarters in Paris, on June 12, 2023. The United States plans to rejoin Unesco from July this year, ending a lengthy dispute that saw Washington end its membership in 2018, the UN cultural agency announced on June 12. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay delivers a speech to announce the United States' request to return to the institution, at the Unesco headquarters in Paris, on June 12, 2023. The United States plans to rejoin Unesco from July this year, ending a lengthy dispute that saw Washington end its membership in 2018, the UN cultural agency announced on June 12. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

PARIS, France - The United States is to rejoin Unesco, the United Nations' Paris-based scientific and cultural organisation, Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay said on Monday.

"This is a strong act of confidence, in Unesco and in multilateralism. Not only in the centrality of the organisation's mandate - culture, education, science, information - but also in the way this mandate is being implemented today," Azoulay said, reported German news agency dpa.

She said the US had officially informed her of the decision to rejoin in July based on a concrete financial plan.

The US suspended its contributions to Unesco in 2011 and notified the organisation of its decision to withdraw legally on Oct 12, 2017.

The return of the United States was made possible by the agreement reached by Congress in December 2022 authorising financial contributions to Unesco, the organisation said in a statement. - BERNAMA-dpa

audrey azoulay
us
rejoin
unesco
More Like This
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
World One dead, one injured in Australian helicopter crash
The two men were travelling in an US-registered Super Puma helicopter when it crashed shortly before midday.
Photo for illustration purposes only.
Photo for illustration purposes only.
World Singapore hangs third drug trafficker in a week
The hanging at Changi prison followed the Nov 15 execution of two men -- a 39-year-old Malaysian and a 53-year-old Singaporean -- also for drug trafficking.
A chimpanzee is pictured at the Pridadomus recovering centre in Villena, near Alicante. AFP FILE PIX
A chimpanzee is pictured at the Pridadomus recovering centre in Villena, near Alicante. AFP FILE PIX
World Chimps are upping their tool game, says study
"Planet of the Apes" may have been onto something.
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
World Trump's top team: Firebrands and stalwarts
WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. Most positions require Senate approval, which brings added scrutiny. Here is who Trump has chosen so far: - Health Secretary:...