United Nations – United States’ withdrawal from UNESCO (22 July 2025)

France regrets the United States’ decision to leave UNESCO, of which it is a founder member and a host country for its headquarters.

Founded in 1946 to prevent conflicts through education, culture and tolerance, UNESCO helps maintain international peace and security. It embodies an effective multilateralism of action, focused on its missions to benefit populations, operating rehabilitation programmes in conflict zones, from Mosul in Iraq to Odessa in Ukraine.

In this respect, France welcomes the reforms begun in 2018 by Director-General Audrey Azoulay, which have led to a stronger consensus within the organization.

France supports UNESCO, which backs several of its priorities at international level, particularly access to education for all, the protection of endangered heritage, the protection of our oceans, the responsible development of artificial intelligence and the fight against anti-Semitism and hate speech.