[20171017]IN10802_美国退出联合国教育、科学及文化组织（UNESCO）.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i U.S. Withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (name redacted) Specialist in International Relations October 17, 2017 On October 12, 2017, the State Department announced that the United States will withdraw from the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The department stated that the decision “reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears . the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias of UNESCO.” The United States seeks to “remain engaged” as a nonmember observer. Generally, observers have participated in selected UNESCO meetings and activities but are not able to vote in some UNESCO bodies or hold leadership positions. Under the terms of the UNESCO constitution, the U.S. withdrawal is expected to take effect on December 31, 2018. Background and Context UNESCO is a U.N. specialized agency that promotes collaboration among its member countries in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communications. It also provides a mechanism for the drafting