PARIS (NEWSnet/AP) — U.N. cultural and scientific agency UNESCO announced Monday that the United States plans to rejoin after a decade-long dispute sparked by the organization’s move to include Palestine as a member.

U.S. officials say the decision to return was motivated by concern that China is filling the gap left by the U.S. in UNESCO policymaking, notably in setting standards for artificial intelligence and technology education. The step includes a commitment to pay more than $600 million in back dues.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma submitted a letter last week to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay formalizing the plan; and Azoulay informed ambassadors Monday.

The next step is a vote by the current UNESCO members.

The plan would be a big financial boost to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known for its World Heritage program as well as projects to fight climate change and teach girls to read.

The U.S. and Israel stopped funding UNESCO after it voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011, and both countries lost their voting rights in 2013. The Trump administration decided in 2017 to withdraw from the agency altogether, citing anti-Israel bias and management problems.

The U.S. absence had plunged the agency into financial uncertainty. Since 2017, Azoulay has worked to address the reasons the U.S. left, through budget reforms and building consensus around sensitive UNESCO resolutions.

The Biden administration has already requested $150 million for the 2024 budget to go toward UNESCO dues and arrears. The plan expects similar requests in the future until the past due amount is paid off.

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