The U.S. government announced that it is pulling out of UNESCO, the United Nations cultural and educational agency.
The State Department issued a statement Thursday saying that the decision was not taken lightly. It accused the body of having an anti-Israel bias and said the organization is in need of fundamental reform. It also said the U.S. is concerned about mounting arrears.
The statement says the U.S. wants to contribute American views, perspectives, and expertise as a non-member observer state.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision. However, the director-general also said that the organization will continue to work with the U.S. in the hope it will return in the future.
◆pull out of ～から撤退する、～から手を引く
◆accuse 非難する、責める
◆be in need of ～を必要とする、～を必要としている
◆fundamental 根本的な、抜本的な
◆arrears 滞納金、未払金
◆contribute 与える、寄与する、貢献する
◆expertise 専門知識
