On 31 October 2011, the 36th Session of the UNESCO General Conference voted overwhelmingly to admit Palestine to membership of the organization. Of 173 countries voting, 107 were in favour, 14 opposed and 52 abstained. In response, the United States government announced that it would cut US funding to UNESCO. A US state department spokeswoman said a payment of some US$60m (GB£37m) due next month would not be made. US membership dues provide around 20 percent of UNESCO's budget. For its membership to take effect, Palestine must sign and ratify UNESCO's Constitution.
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