The U.S. decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has drawn widespread criticism, with foreign ministers from various countries calling the decision wrong and regrettable.
The U.S. announced Tuesday its decision to pull out of UNESCO two years after rejoining. The exit will take effect at the end of Dec 2026.
According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, the withdrawal was due to what Washington saw as the U.N. cultural agency's policy to "advance divisive social and cultural causes" over the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
"UNESCO's decision to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization," the statement said.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla noted on Wednesday that the U.S. announcement to withdraw once again highlights the U.S. government's contempt for multilateralism and for the U.N. agency, which is dedicated to promoting peace.
The U.S. is leveraging economic pressure to influence the U.N. agency in an attempt to impose its unsuccessful hegemonic policies, he added.
Palestine also voiced strong dissatisfaction regarding the U.S. withdrawal, calling it a wrong decision.
In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. citing UNESCO's acceptance of the "State of Palestine" as a member state as a reason for its exit represents the U.S. unacceptable politicization of UNESCO's efforts, which will enable Israel's continued crimes.
The U.S. should stop granting Israel impunity on international occasions, said the ministry.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also noted on Tuesday that the decision of the U.S. to withdraw once again from UNESCO is "deeply regrettable."
"In a world shaken by conflict, disinformation and division, we need strong multilateral institutions.This decision weakens a pillar of international cooperation," Prevot posted on X.
U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO draws widespread criticism
U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO draws widespread criticism
U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO draws widespread criticism
China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.
In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.
"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.
This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.
The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.
"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.
China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting
