The United States government will pay $619 million in cumulative fees to return to the United Nations arts and culture organization, the Unescoafter what the administration of former President Donald Trump decided to withdraw this organization in 2019.
The State Department, under the administration of President Joe Biden, last month sent a letter to Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO, announcing the nation’s intention to rejoin the international cultural agency.
UNESCO met on Thursday to review the US proposal and hold a vote with a result of 132 votes in favor or readmit to the United States and 10 votes against, the agency said in a news release.
“With this return, UNESCO will be in an even stronger position to carry out its mandate,” Azoulay said. “It is a great day for UNESCO and for multilateralism. Building on the momentum gained in recent years, our Organization is once again moving toward universalism with this return of the United States.”
In addition to paying your arrears, The United States also agreed to finance 22% of UNESCO’s budget and contribute to programs that increase access to education in Africa, among others.
“I am encouraged and grateful that the members of UNESCO have accepted the US proposal,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. a statementadding that the vote “will allow us to continue with the steps to rejoin the organization.”
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Source: La Opinion
