UNESCO chief to assert that funding cuts hurt U.S. global influence, 9 am Dec. 16

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova will assert at a National Press Club Newsmaker at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, that the United States is undermining its influence in the world by reducing its contributions to the organization.

Three days after raising of the flag of Palestine in a ceremony at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Bokova will discuss the U.S. decision to cut funding to the organization following the vote of UNESCO’s General Conference to admit Palestine as a member state on Oct. 31.

Under a 21-year-old law, the U.S. government was required to immediately cut its contribution to UNESCO, leading to a significant shortfall in UNESCO's budget this year and a projected shortfall of more than $80 million for each of the next two years.