US decides to rejoin UNESCO and pay back dues, to counter Chinese influence

U.N. cultural and scientific agency UNESCO announced Monday that the United States plans to rejoin – and pay more than $600 million in back dues – after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organization’s move to include Palestine as a member.
U.S. officials say the decision to return was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma submitted a letter last week to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay formalizing the plan to rejoin.