The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has issued a statement against US withdrawal from UNESCO after the State Department announced it is pulling back from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), due to "the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO", announced in a press release last week.

Following this destructive and incomprehensible decision, the AIA has released a statement, expressing deep concerns about being interrupted the rooted and cultural mission of UNESCO. The organization made an urgent call for Trump's administration to support this cultural mission of UNESCO and specifically, "its World Heritage Sites program, which seeks to identify and preserve buildings and places of exceptional importance to humankind."

After leaving the US at the end of 2018, the US will be involved "as a non-member observer state in order to contribute U.S. views, perspectives and expertise on some of the important issues undertaken by the organization, including the protection of world heritage, advocating for press freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration and education."

In a letter sent by AIA 2017 President Thomas Vonier, the AIA emphasizes that the US should continue to support this worldwide cultural mission of UNESCO - which supports a variety of programs promoting education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and information around the world - particularly, its World Heritage Sites program follows a global mission with global stakeholders to protect such sites, according to Vonier.

"The American Institute of Architects has long supported the cultural mission of UNESCO, and especially its World Heritage Sites program, which seeks to identify and preserve buildings and places of exceptional importance to humankind. We hope and expect that the United States will continue to work with global stakeholders to protect such sites," said AIA 2017 President Thomas Vonier.

"In addition, UNESCO has recently agreed to join with the International Union of Architects (UIA) to designate a World Capital of Architecture every two to three years, choosing cities of outstanding character with the World Congress of Architects. This effort will reinforce the value and importance of architecture and design in human affairs. The AIA urges the Administration to lend its support to this initiative," added Vonier.

The official decision was notified by the United States Secretary of State, Mr Rex Tillerson to UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova, after the the US has been at controversial phases with the organization since the US stopped funding UNESCO in 2011 to protest the admission of the Palestinian Authority as a full member. Since the withdrawal of funding, the US has postponed its loans costing $550 million, which showed that the US would not financially contribute to any United Nations organisation that accepted the contentious Middle Eastern state.

"At the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, in dialogue among cultures to prevent hatred, it is deeply regrettable that the United States should withdraw from the United Nations agency leading these issues," said Irina Bokova, UNESCO General Director, in a press statement. 

"At the time when conflicts continue to tear apart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations agency promoting education for peace and protecting culture under attack."

"This is why I regret the withdrawal of the United States. This is a loss to UNESCO," added Bokova. "This is a loss to the United Nations family. This is a loss for multilateralism."

The U.S. withdrawal will officially take place on December 31, 2018. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until that time.

> via state.gov