Paducah Not Affected by U.S. UNESCO Withdrawal

The U.S. may be pulling out UNESCO, but city leaders say the decision will not affect Paducah.

Mayor Brandi Harless and the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau released the following statement in response to the recent announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from UNESCO, saying that the decision will have no impact on Paducah's membership in the organization:

“Paducah officials are closely monitoring news from the U.S. State Department regarding their withdraw from UNESCO. However, this change will not affect Paducah’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art. Paducah’s dedication to culture, creativity and global connection through the arts, led to the city’s designation nearly four years ago.  We will continue our work with our global partners towards our common goals, to foster creative industries for sustainable development.”

The United States announced that it is pulling out of UNESCO because of what the Trump administration sees as its anti-Israel bias and a need for "fundamental reform."

It says the withdrawal will take effect Dec. 31, 2018.