The United States is once again leaving the United Nations’ cultural agency, UNESCO. This decision is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing plan to distance the US from international organizations he has often criticized.

UNESCO, which is based in Paris, was created after World War II to support peace through global cooperation in education, science, and culture. This move is seen as a setback for the agency and its mission.

Reports from the New York Post confirmed the US withdrawal, quoting an unnamed official from the White House.

This isn’t the first time Mr. Trump has taken such steps. During his earlier term, he also pulled the US out of several major international agreements and organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council, the global climate accord, and the Iran nuclear deal.

However, when President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed many of these moves. He brought the US back into UNESCO, rejoined the WHO, and returned to the climate agreement.

Now that Mr. Trump is back in office, the US is once again stepping away from these global partnerships. He has already withdrawn from the WHO and stopped US funding for the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. A full review of America’s role in UN agencies is expected to be completed by August.

UNESCO is most recognized for naming and protecting World Heritage Sites across the globe. Some well-known examples include the Grand Canyon in the US and the ancient ruins of Palmyra in Syria.

The US first joined UNESCO when it was founded in 1945. But it left in 1984, complaining about financial issues and unfair treatment. It rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who said the organization had made important changes since the US left.