The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization faces the loss of an estimated $80 million a year after the United States announced it would withdraw support for the organization over UNESCO’s decision to admit Palestine as a member.
The United States will remain a member of UNESCO, but it won’t pay its dues, the Department of State announced last week.
According to a statement from UNESCO, the loss threatens the work of the Paris-based organization, which helps promote literacy programs worldwide and has worked to develop competitive media in Iraq and Egypt, among other projects.
The United States rejoined UNESCO in 2003 after a nearly 20-year absence. It had dropped out in 1984 amid allegations of mismanagement at the organization and complaints about a perceived anti-democratic agenda.
