President of the General Conference of UNESCO

During our meeting on 18 May, we discussed the future of @UNESCO as it embarks on a period of ambitious reform, as well as greater cooperation between the organization and Türkiye.

It was a pleasure to receive H.E. Mr İhsan Mustafa Yurdakul @Mustafa_MFA, who recently took up his position as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Türkiye to UNESCO.

Sincere thanks to H.E. Annalena Baerbock, @UN_PGA; H.E. Lok Bahadur Thapa @LokThapa2071, President of the UN Economic and Social Council; H.E. Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, President of @UN_HRC; and  H.E. Nasser Bin Hamad Al Hinzab, @EXBChairperson of @UNESCO. unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0…

At a time of rising misinformation & global uncertainty, trusted, professional journalism is critical. On #WorldPressFreedomDay 2026, I had the honour & privilege of initiating a joint statement with the heads of UN bodies. youtube.com/watch?v=PabQnK…

At a time of rising misinformation and global uncertainty, trusted, professional journalism is more critical than ever. Read the joint statement here: unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0…

Our message is clear: safeguarding #pressfreedom is essential to building peaceful, inclusive, & resilient societies. The statement calls on Member States to protect journalists, end impunity for crimes against the press, and ensure an enabling environment for independent media.

On #WorldPressFreedomDay 2026, I had the honour and privilege of initiating a joint statement reaffirming our shared commitment to press freedom, along with the UN leaders who co-signed the statement:

Above all, we can celebrate the congenial spirit of dialogue, communication and consensus that characterized our debates. Warm thanks to Dr Nasser Bin Hamad Al Hinzab, @EXBChairperson, Professor Khaled El-Enany, @UNESCO_DG , & the Secretariat. 📷©UNESCO/Maxime Michel

The 224th @UNESCO Executive Board came to a successful close this afternoon. We can celebrate several achievements: the approval of the 43 C/5 Programme and Budget, the UNESCO 80 Roadmap, new global geoparks, a new International Day of Documentary Heritage, & 2 new UNESCO prizes.

During our meeting, we discussed cooperation between UNESCO and Viet Nam, the country’s deep engagement with the organization, as well as developments since our last exchange during the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

It was a pleasure to receive H.E. Mr Ngo Le Van, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and President of the Viet Nam National Commission for @UNESCO on 21 April.

We also exchanged views on the importance of enhancing UNESCO’s visibility in capitals and the continued support required from Member States to enable the organization to fulfil its mandate in education, culture, and science.

It was a pleasure to receive H.E. Mr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, on 16 April. During our meeting, we discussed the importance of the multilateral system – & @UNESCO's role within it – as we navigate global instability.

We also exchanged views on the importance of enhancing UNESCO’s visibility in capitals and the continued support required from Member States to enable the organization to fulfil its mandate in education, culture, and science.

During our meeting we discussed how countries in the Global South can benefit from @UNESCO expertise & networks – from preserving exceptional environmental heritage in designated sites to transmitting information via community radio.

It was a pleasure to receive H.E. Ms @CameliaLeclercq, Minister of State, Minister of National Education and Civic Instruction of the Gabonese Republic, and President of the Gabon National Commission for UNESCO, on 15 April.

During our meeting, the Deputy Foreign Minister briefed me on the situation in Ukraine in fields related to UNESCO’s mandate, as well as developments since our last exchange during the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

It was a pleasure to receive H.E. Ms Mariana Betsa, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine and President of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, on 15 April, during the 224th session of the @UNESCO Executive Board.