The US decision to come back “is the result of five years of work, during which we calmed tensions, notably on the Middle East, improved our response to contemporary challenges, resumed major initiatives on the ground and modernized the functioning of the organization,” Audrey Azoulay told The Associated Press as she met Democrats and Republicans in Washington to explain those efforts.
The Joe Biden administration has already requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears- part of the full debt of $619 million- a big chunk of the agency’s $534 million annual operating budget. Before leaving, the US contributed 22% of UNESCO’s overall funding.
Source- Hindustan Times.