Pakistan Prime Minister's Special Envoy Zafaruddin Mahmood: US withdrawal from UNESCO is "disappointing"

On July 23, 2025, the SCO National Civilizations Dialogue opened in Tianjin. Pakistani Prime Minister's special representative Zafaruddin Mahmood Zafar stated in an interview with the Global Times at the conference that the United States' withdrawal from UNESCO was "disappointing." On July 22 local time, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement saying that the United States had informed UNESCO Director-General Azoulay of its decision to withdraw from the organization. According to the relevant procedures, the United States will officially withdraw from UNESCO on December 31, 2026. Zafar expressed his deep disappointment with this development. This is the third time the United States has taken such action - they did it before, realized their mistake, and returned. But now they have made such a statement again, which in my opinion is very disappointing and heart-wrenching. They claim that they will "only join international organizations that can protect US interests," which is not the way to build a community of shared future for mankind. We must respect the views of other countries and peoples, and not demand that everyone obey, otherwise communication will be severed. I believe this attitude will never satisfy the international community.