The U.S. withdrawing from international agreements and organizations is hardly news – so what's the surprise if it's leaving UNESCO for the third time? A global poll conducted by CGTN finds that 84.2 percent of respondents are unsurprised by the move, indicating that the international community is growing accustomed to America's habitual "absence." This "America First" unilateralism makes the pursuit of true multilateralism all the more urgent and necessary.

The U.S. government's justification this time was blunt: it accused UNESCO of advancing "divisive social and cultural causes" that conflict with its "America First" policy. According to the poll, 93.5 percent of respondents criticize the U.S. for turning international institutions into tools for its political calculations. In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a review of UNESCO over alleged "anti-Israel sentiment." The poll shows that 90.7 percent of respondents see the latest withdrawal as further proof of America's entrenched favoritism toward Israel, while 91.1 percent argue that its transactional approach to international organizations neither befits a major power nor serves the collective interests of the international community.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the U.S. exit regrettable but said the organization was prepared: "Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the U.S. has been offset." The poll reveals that 88.1 percent of respondents believe America's habitual practice of treaty-breaking has severely eroded its credibility and global influence. Meanwhile, 88.7 percent say its withdrawals from international organizations show a policy tilt toward anti-global governance, de-multilateralism and resistance to international mechanisms. In addition, 66.7 percent of respondents fear America's exit from international organizations could spur other countries to follow suit, inflicting further harm on the international community. Another 92.8 percent call on the world to join together in practicing genuine multilateralism and advancing a fairer, more equitable international order.

Conducted across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, the survey gathered responses from 9,097 participants within 24 hours.