The United States' withdrawal from UNESCO for the third time has drawn little surprise globally, according to a CGTN survey of 9,097 respondents across five languages. A striking 84.2% of participants expressed no astonishment at the move, signaling growing international acclimation to Washington's recurring pattern of disengaging from multilateral frameworks.
U.S. officials cited UNESCO's promotion of "divisive" cultural agendas conflicting with "America First" priorities. However, 93.5% of respondents criticized the approach of treating global institutions as political bargaining chips. The survey highlights particular concern over perceived U.S. bias, with 90.7% viewing the withdrawal as reinforcing Washington's entrenched support for Israel—a stance dating back to 2025 policy reviews under former President Donald Trump.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay acknowledged the financial impact but noted preparedness through diversified funding since 2018. The poll reveals deeper anxieties: 88.1% believe repeated treaty abandonments have eroded U.S. global credibility, while 88.7% interpret the exits as anti-multilateral policy signaling. Two-thirds fear potential ripple effects as other nations might emulate the transactional approach.
Amid these challenges, 92.8% of participants urged strengthened international cooperation to advance equitable global governance. The 24-hour survey, conducted across English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, underscores shifting perceptions of U.S. global leadership as multilateral institutions adapt to new geopolitical realities.
