UNESCO confirms France’s Audrey Azoulay as new chief

The U.N. cultural agency has been mired in financial woes since the U.S withdrew its sizeable funding in 2011

Audrey Azoulay was nominated last month by the U.N. cultural agency’s executive board

UNESCO’s member States have voted to confirm the nomination of former French Culture Minister Audrey Azoulay as the body’s new leader.

Ms. Azoulay, 45, was nominated last month by the U.N. cultural agency’s executive board in a highly politicized race overshadowed by Middle East tensions.

The agency’s general conference, which includes all 195 members, on Friday formally approved Ms. Azoulay’s four-year term.

Also Read

U.S. must promote education to counter radicalisation: Audrey Azoulay

 

Ms. Azoulay hopes to restore the international standing of the Paris-based organization that has been mired in financial woes since the United States withdrew its sizeable funding in 2011. It’s also reeling from last month’s decision by the Trump administration to pull out of UNESCO because of its alleged anti-Israel bias.

The new Director will set priorities for the organization’s World Heritage program that protects cultural sites and traditions.