To stay or to go? Since February 4, UNESCO has been holding its breath as it awaits the decision of President Donald Trump, who has given himself 90 days to reassess the US presence in the UN organization working in the fields of culture, science and education. Since returning to power, the US leader signed a dramatic withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

For UNESCO, accused of "anti-American bias" by Trump adviser Will Scharf, the suspense, which will end on May 5, is proportional to the stakes: As the organization's main contributor, the United States allocates $75 million annually, about 8% of its $900 million budget.

From her spacious office at Paris' Place de Fontenoy, with an unobstructed view of the Dôme des Invalides, the Eiffel Tower and the 194 flags of UNESCO members flapping in the wind, Director General Audrey Azoulay remains calm. In 2017, the US, whose contribution then accounted for 20% of the organization's budget, slammed the door, quickly followed by Israel, to sanction the admission of Palestine as a member state.

You have 89.12% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.