U.S. to Rejoin UNESCO and Pay $600 Million in Back Dues, Impacting AI and Technology Education Worldwide

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced on Monday that the United States plans to rejoin the organization and pay more than $600 million in back dues. This follows a decade-long dispute that began when UNESCO voted to include Palestine as a member.

U.S. officials have stated that the decision to rejoin was motivated by the concern that China is filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, particularly in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world. The return of the U.S., which was once the agency’s biggest funder, is expected to face a vote by its 193 member states next month.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma submitted a letter last week to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay formalizing the plan to rejoin. The letter was met with applause from the audience.

The U.S. has been absent from UNESCO since 2011, when the Obama administration withdrew from the organization in protest of its decision to include Palestine as a member. The Trump administration had previously indicated its intention to rejoin, but had not taken any formal steps to do so until now.

The return of the U.S. to UNESCO is expected to have a significant impact on the organization’s policymaking, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and technology education. It is also expected to provide a much-needed financial boost to the organization, which has been struggling with a lack of funding in recent years.