UNESCO Appoints New Director-General

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed Audrey Azoulay (France) to the post of Director-General of the organization.

ICTP is a UNESCO Category 1 institute, and plays an important role in the organization's scientific portfolio. The relationship between the two organizations dates back to the 1960s, when UNESCO first lent its support to ICTP, then in its infancy. It continued through the 1970s and 1980s when UNESCO extended its funding for ICTP's research and training activities, and culminated in the mid-1990s when UNESCO became the lead administrative agency for the Centre. ICTP receives most of its funding from the Italian government, as well as additional support from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Born in 1972, Ms. Azoulay was France’s Minister of Culture and Communication from February 2016 to May 2017. She has occupied senior positions in France’s public broadcasting sector and then served as rapporteur to France’s public auditing authority, the Cour des comptes, and as a European Commission legislative expert on issues of culture and the media.

Ms. Azoulay served France’s National Cinema Centre (CNC), first as Deputy Audiovisual Director, then as Director of Financial and Legal Affairs, and finally as Deputy Director-General. She is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale d’Administration and the Paris Institut d’études politiques. Ms. Azoulay also holds a masters degree in business administration from the University of Lancaster (UK).

Ms. Azoulay is the 11th Director-General of UNESCO and the second woman to occupy this position.

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UNESCO news announcement: Audrey Azoulay appointed as Director-General of UNESCO