US out of UNESCO
WASHINGTON, 12 Feb — RIA Novosti. The United States has notified UNESCO of withdrawal from the organization, announced the state Department.
“This decision was difficult to accept. It reflects U.S. concerns growing debt (membership fees — Approx. ed.), UNESCO, the need for fundamental reforms in the organization and the continuing anti-Israel bias in UNESCO,” — said in a release sent to RIA Novosti the official representative of the Department of state Heather Nauert.
The decision will come into force on 31 December 2018, however, the United States will retain observer status in the organization.
The head of UNESCO Irina Bokova has expressed regret move by Washington.
She recalled that in 2011, after the suspension of financial assistance of Washington in the organization, she said that “UNESCO has never been so important for the United States, and the United States has never been more important for UNESCO”.
“This truth became even more evident today, at a time when the growth of extremism and terrorism requires a new long-term solutions in the name of peace and freedom, in the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, the battle against ignorance and discrimination,” she said.
UNESCO — specialized UN Agency responsible for education, science and culture. The organization was created in 1945, its headquarters is located in Paris. The structure of UNESCO is composed of nearly two hundred States.