On October 12, 2017, the Department of State notified UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organization and to seek to establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO. This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.
2017年10月12日，国务院已告知联合国教科文组织总干事伊琳娜·博科娃，美国决定退出该组织并寻求与其建立永久观察员联系。这是慎重做出的决定，反映了美方对该组织不断增加的欠费、机构改革的必要性以及针对以色列持续偏见的关切。
The United States indicated to the Director General its desire to remain engaged with UNESCO 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.
美方向总干事表达了愿意继续以非成员观察国身份参与联合国教科文组织活动的意愿，以在世界遗产保护、倡导新闻舆论自由、推动科研合作和发展教育等重要领域贡献美国的观点、看法及专业知识。
Pursuant to Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution, U.S. withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2018. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until that time.
根据《联合国教科文组织章程》第二条第6款，美国将于2018年12月31日正式退出该组织。在此之前，美国将仍是该组织的正式成员。
