US rejoins Unesco in reversal of Trump withdrawal

Former president withdrew from culture agency over alleged bias against Israel

Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal in 2017, with the decision taking effect the following year. AP

The US rejoined Unesco on Friday, reversing its withdrawal under former president Donald Trump, the UN's cultural agency said.

Mr Trump announced in 2017 that he was pulling the US out of Unesco, accusing the body of bias against Israel. The decision took effect in 2018.

An extraordinary session of the UN body's General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for the return of the US, with about 132 members voting in favour, 10 against and 15 abstentions.

Dissenting voices included Iran, Syria, China and Russia, whose delegations appeared to seek to delay the vote through several statements on procedure and suggested amendments.

The US, a founding member of Unesco, was a major contributor to its budget until 2011, when the body admitted Palestine as a member state.

That triggered an end to the contributions under US law, leading up to the formal withdrawal announcement six years later.

Washington's ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield thanked member countries for voting in favour of the US rejoining Unesco.

"If we are not engaged in international institutions, we leave a void and we lose an opportunity to advance American values and interests on the global stage," she said in a statement.

"Wherever and whenever new rules are being debated, Americans need to be at the table."