The decision of the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which was announced in October 2017, enters into force on December 31, RIA Novosti reported.

Washington reserves observer status, but will no longer pay contributions and be elected to the World Heritage Committee.

In 1984, the Ronald Reagan administration had already left the organization, accusing it of anti-Americanism and waste. In 2003, the United States returned to UNESCO. The reason for the current withdrawal was, in particular, the disagreement on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects US concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement earlier.

The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945.