US to leave UNESCO, drawing global rebuke

Agency says move mars multilateralism, as expert terms it as 'counterproductive'

The United States' decision to withdraw from UNESCO was "regrettable" but "anticipated", the organization's director-general said on Tuesday, warning the move could undermine cooperation with US-based partners.

"This decision contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism, and may affect first and foremost our many partners in the United States of America — communities seeking site inscription on the World Heritage List, creative city status and university chairs," Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

The Donald Trump administration announced on Tuesday that the US would again leave UNESCO, just two years after rejoining under former president Joe Biden.