The US officially returned to UNESCO after a five-year hiatus

The U.S. officially returned to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Affairs organization (UNESCO)after a five-year hiatus. This was announced by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azule on July 11, according to the press service of the International Organization.

"The U.S. return to UNESCO was completed. It officially became a member state of our organization again. This is great news for UNESCO. Our initiatives will be strengthened all over the world, " Azule said.

The U.S. became its 194th member upon its return to the organization.

It is noted that before returning to the organization, the United States and the UN had a joint plan of action. The ceremony of raising the American flag in the organization takes place at the end of July.

The UN organization for Educational, Scientific and Cultural Affairs UNESCO is a specialized UN institution. It was established with the aim of strengthening peace and security by expanding international cooperation in education, science and culture.

Why did the US get out of UNESCO?

The US withdrew from UNESCO in October 2017. The administration of the country's 45th President, Donald Trump, attributed the decision to the organization's anti-Israel policies. Soon after, Israel also withdrew from the organization.

The Israeli government informed the U.S. State Department in February 2022 that it was not opposed to America's return to UNESCO. In December, Congress approved a bill appropriating over $ 500 million to pay off the U.S. debt to UNESCO, allowing the country to re-join the organization.

In UNESCO's history, the U.S. delegation has left the organization twice, with the first break lasting 18 years — from 1985 to 2003. More than a dozen objects in America are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.