The United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO for the third time has been met with a collective shrug by the international community. According to a recent global poll conducted by CGTN, an overwhelming 84.2% of respondents were unsurprised by the move, indicating a growing indifference toward America’s recurrent absences from global organizations.
The U.S. government cited disagreements with UNESCO’s “divisive social and cultural causes” as the reason for its departure, aligning with its “America First” policy. However, the CGTN poll reveals that 93.5% of participants criticize the U.S. for using international institutions as tools for political maneuvering rather than fostering global cooperation.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has distanced itself from UNESCO. In February 2025, then-President Donald Trump ordered a review of the organization over alleged biases. The latest withdrawal is seen by 90.7% of respondents as further evidence of America’s entrenched favoritism toward Israel. Additionally, 91.1% argue that such a transactional approach undermines the responsibilities of a major power and does little to serve the collective interests of the global community.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed regret over the U.S. exit but noted the organization’s resilience. “Thanks to the efforts made by the organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the U.S. has been offset,” she stated.
The poll highlights broader concerns about the U.S.’s role on the world stage. A significant 88.1% believe that America’s habit of reneging on international commitments has severely eroded its credibility and influence. Moreover, 88.7% feel that these withdrawals reflect a shift toward anti-global governance and resistance to multilateralism.
There’s also apprehension about the ripple effects of America’s actions. About 66.7% of respondents fear that other countries might follow suit, causing further harm to international cooperation. An overwhelming 92.8% call for a united global effort to practice genuine multilateralism and to advance a fairer, more equitable international order.
The survey gathered responses from 9,097 participants across CGTN’s English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms within a 24-hour period, underscoring the widespread international interest in the issue.
