U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO sparks global calls to defend multilateralism

The United States has decided to withdraw from UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for culture, education and science, triggering an immediate wave of international concern about the future of multilateral institutions.

Governments and organisations across the world have responded by calling for renewed commitment to multilateralism at a time of mounting global challenges. The move has reignited debate about the role of international bodies and the consequences of major powers stepping back from them.

Supporters of UNESCO argue that the agency plays a critical role in addressing shared problems that no single nation can resolve alone, and urged all member states to reaffirm their dedication to collective global governance.