[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 125 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S4524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 UNESCO

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. President, of all the uninformed, ill-conceived, and 
self-inflicted errors of this administration, the just-announced 
decision to withdraw from UNESCO stands out.
  The justification given by the State Department spokeswoman was a 
recitation of outdated, vague, and inaccurate criticisms of an 
organization that has seen dramatic reforms over the past 7 years under 
the outstanding leadership of Director General Audrey Azoulay. Since 
her initial appointment in 2017, Director General Azoulay has made 
numerous trips to Washington to meet with leaders in the Congress and 
the administration. I have heard consistently positive reactions to her 
leadership of UNESCO by Republicans and Democrats alike, including 
regarding UNESCO's efforts to address anti-semitism.
  Given Director General Azoulay's success in focusing UNESCO on its 
mission of promoting international cooperation and peace in a manner 
consistent with democratic values and human rights and dignity, one can 
only conclude that the administration officials behind this short-
sighted decision never bothered to do their homework--or they were 
guided purely by Project 2025's mindless opposition to multilateralism, 
regardless of the facts. As far as I am aware, they did not bother to 
consult anyone in Congress, including those who have regularly engaged 
with Director General Azoulay and her professional staff.
  Most Republicans and Democrats have long recognized that it is far 
better for the United States to be in the room, rather than remain 
outside and cede our influence to those who don't share our interests 
or values. The Chinese Government is looking for any opportunity to 
expand its influence in the United Nations, and UNESCO is no exception. 
We rejoined UNESCO in 2023 after a 5-year absence, and now, we are 
withdrawing again. It sends a terrible message that the United States 
can no longer be counted on. It is a message the Chinese will applaud.

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