First Girl Jill Biden to Mark US Reentry Into UNESCO With Flag-Elevating Ceremony in Paris

PARIS (AP) — United States First Girl Jill Biden is in Paris on Tuesday to attend a flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO, marking the United States’ official reentry into the United Nations’ instructional, scientific and cultural group after a five-year hiatus.

Biden may also make remarks in regards to the significance of American management in preserving cultural heritage and empowering schooling and science throughout the globe.

The U.S. had introduced its intention to rejoin UNESCO in June, and the group’s 193 member states earlier this month voted to approve the U.S. reentry. Tuesday’s ceremony, which may also function a speech by UNESCO’s Director Basic Audrey Azoulay, will formally signify the U.S. changing into the 194th member of the physique.

The U.S. decision to return to the Paris-based UNESCO was primarily based primarily on considerations that China has crammed a management hole for the reason that U.S. withdrew throughout the Trump administration.

The U.S. exit from UNESCO in 2017 cited an alleged anti-Israel bias inside the group. The choice adopted a 2011 transfer by UNESCO to incorporate Palestine as a member state, which led the U.S. and Israel to stop financing the company. The U.S. withdrawal grew to become official a yr later in 2018.

In preparation for its return, the Biden administration requested $150 million for the 2024 funds to go towards UNESCO dues and arrears, with plans for comparable requests within the ensuing years till the total debt of $619 million is paid off.

Earlier than its departure, the U.S. was the one greatest funder of UNESCO, contributing 22% of the company’s total funding, a good portion of UNESCO’s $534 million annual working funds.

That is the second time the U.S. has returned to UNESCO after a interval of withdrawal. The nation beforehand left the group in 1984 below the Reagan administration, citing mismanagement, corruption, and perceived development of Soviet pursuits. It rejoined in 2003 below George W. Bush’s presidency.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.