PARIS: Unesco announced Monday that the US plans to rejoin the UN cultural and scientific agency from July – and pay over $600 million in back dues – after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organisation’s move to include Palestine as a member. US officials say the decision to return was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the US in Unesco policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education around the world.
Undersecretary of state for management John Bass said in March that the US absence from Unesco had strengthened China, and ‘undercuts our ability to be as effective in promoting our vision of a free world.” “If we’re really serious about the digital-age competition with China … we can’t afford to be absent any longer,” he had said.
Undersecretary of state for management John Bass said in March that the US absence from Unesco had strengthened China, and ‘undercuts our ability to be as effective in promoting our vision of a free world.” “If we’re really serious about the digital-age competition with China … we can’t afford to be absent any longer,” he had said.