US announces its withdrawal from UNESCO
This departure carries financial consequences. The United States − as the largest contributor to the UN agency dedicated to education, science and culture − had been providing $75 million annually, which constituted about 8% of its $900 million budget. In anticipation of the US withdrawal, UNESCO had exercised caution in recent months by setting aside the US contribution for this year and reducing programs to prevent a funding shortfall. At this time, there are no planned layoffs among the organization's approximately 1,000 employees.
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