EU MEMBER STATES SUPPORT TO UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO is a specialized agency of the U.N. system that promotes collaboration among its member countries in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communications and information. With an annual budget of approximately $326 million, it supports more than 2,000 staff members working at its headquarters in Paris and 65 field offices and institutes worldwide. UNESCO activities are funded through a combination of assessed contributions by member states to its regular budget, and voluntary contributions by member states and organizations.

Member States of the  European Union contributes 38.5% to UNESCO’s budget vs. 22% contributed by the United States.                                                                                    

Austria (0.851%) ; Belgium (1.075%) ; Bulgaria (0.038%) ; Croatia (0.097%) ; Cyprus (0.046%) ; Czech Republic (0.349%) ; Denmark (0.736%) ; Estonia (0.040%) ; Finland (0.566%) ; France (6.124%) ; Germany (8.019%) ; Greece (0.691%) ; Hungary (0.291%) ; Italy (5.000%) ; Latvia (0.038%); Lithuania (0.065%); Luxembourg (0.090%); Malta (0.017%); Netherlands (1.855%); Poland (0.828%); Portugal (0.511%); Romania (0.177%); Slovakia (0.142%); Slovenia (0.103%); Spain (3.177%); Sweden (1.064%), United Kingdom (6.605 %).

Since losing U.S. funding after Palestine was admitted as a member in the organization UNESCO created an emergency fund to obtain cash, from other members that is allocated to projects as it wishes.

Total Contributions to the Emergency Fund Received (75 million)

• Saudi Arabia $ 20 million
• Qatar $ 20 million
• Algeria $ 6.6 million
• Indonesia $ 6 million
• Turkey $ 5 million
• Congo $ 3 million
• Gabon $ 2 million
• Oman $ 2 million
• China $ 1 million
• Iraq $ 1 million

The organization has also received specific project funding from countries that have particular interests in certain fields. UNESCO has signed a $ 20 million agreement with Norway for education and sustainable development programs.

As of 28 June 2013 the organization has received only 59% of the 2013 contributions. 41% are outstanding (including 22% due by the U.S. and 19% due by other member states).

From June 9-11 was held in Doha, Qatar the annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum.  The Forum was entitled “A Decade of Dialogue,” heralding the ten-year anniversary of the Forum. The Forum has become the premier platform for engagement by American leaders from government, business, and civil society with their counterparts from Muslim-majority countries around the world. This year’s sessions highlighted

• The changing landscape in Pakistan and Afghanistan and its effect on internal and regional security
• The challenges of democracy and development in the aftermath of the Arab Spring
• The conflict in Syria and the spiraling effects of the conflict on the Middle East region and the role played by the United States and other outside actors.
• Advancing women’s political participation within an Islamic framework
• Supporting economic assistance and recovery in Egypt and Tunisia
• The role of faith based leaders in mediating conflict
• Fostering diplomacy
• Defining and understanding freedom of speech among global Muslim communities

More reasons for the U.S. to stay within UNESCO.