In a major reversal, President Joe Biden is seeking to have America rejoin a controversial UN organization six years after his predecessor withdrew from it. 

According to Axios, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma sent a letter to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on June 8.

$500 million set aside for "concrete financing plan"

A State Department spokesperson told the website that a plan is being developed which should allow the United States to resume its status as a full voting member by July.

Doing so will involve a "concrete financing plan" under which American taxpayers will be forced to foot the bill for years of unpaid dues. Axios noted that Congress passed a bill this past December allocating $500 million for the task.

The Washington Examiner noted that the United States has had a contentious history with UNESCO which dates back to 1983 when President Ronald Regan withdrew from it.

America was subsequently readmitted as a UNESCO member in 2003 under President George W. Bush. However, Axios pointed out that funding was cut off per statutory requirement in 2011 after Palestine became a full member.

UNESCO touts improved relationship with Biden administration

Trump withdrew from UNESCO altogether in 2017 over concerns that the organization had grown increasingly anit-Israeli.

However, Israel's government signaled in 2022 that it would not object to the United States once again becoming a UNESCO member. Axios explained that the UNESCO funding bill contains a "snap-back clause" under which money is to be withheld should Palestine obtain member-state status in a UN agency.

For its part, UNESCO provided Axiso with a statement touting its improved relationship with the Biden administration.

The United States of America announces its intention to rejoin UNESCO in July.

"This is a strong act of confidence in the centrality of #UNESCO's mandate but also in the way this mandate is being implemented today." - @AAzoulay https://t.co/OeS1Q87H2z pic.twitter.com/QidZPb8b71

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) June 12, 2023

"Indeed, in a letter sent to the Director-General, the U.S. Department of State welcomed the way in which UNESCO had addressed in recent years emerging challenges, modernized its management, and reduced political tensions," the statement read.

United States may get a seat on UNESCO's executive board

"The proposed financing plan must now be submitted to the General Conference of UNESCO Member States for their approval," it continued.

"Some Member States have requested that an extraordinary session be held soon so a decision can be made," the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Axios cited an unnamed source as saying that the United States will run for a seat on UNESCO’s executive board in November, a move which is being supported by a number of other Western countries.