UNESCO ( UPSC Prelims)

EN ह

News Context

 ● US Withdrawal from UNESCO  
        ○ The United States has decided to exit UNESCO, citing the organization's endorsement of woke and divisive initiatives, as well as an anti-Israel bias.
  ● Additional Developments  
        ○ This decision represents the third time the US has left UNESCO, with the second occurrence happening under the current administration.
        ○ The US has also initiated actions to withdraw from other UN bodies and agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and has significantly cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine.
  ● Leadership Changes in UNESCO  
        ○ UNESCO has appointed its first Arab leader as the Director-General.

UNESCO

 ● Specialized Agency: Part of the United Nations system.  
  ● Objective: Aims to foster peace and security by encouraging international cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.  
  ● Membership: Comprises 194 Members and 12 Associate Members.  
  ● Significant Reports and Programs:  
    ● Global Education Monitoring Report  
    ● World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development  
    ● UNESCO World Heritage Sites  
    ● Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme