Paris, For the first time, UNESCO is participating in the G20 meetings as a privileged partner, marking a significant step in the organization’s involvement in global governance. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, is set to attend the foreign ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro on February 21 and 22, at the invitation of the Brazilian Presidency. This inclusion underscores the G20’s recognition of UNESCO’s vital role in promoting education, culture, science, and information on the international stage.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, this year’s collaboration represents a milestone in UNESCO’s relationship with the G20, initiated by Brazil’s leadership. Since 2020, UNESCO has been increasingly engaged in various G20 working groups, contributing to the emphasis on education, culture, science, and information in the Leaders’ Declarations. The organization’s full participation in the G20 process in 2024 exemplifies the expanding scope of its influence and the acknowledgment of its contributions to addressing global challenges.
During the meeting, Azoulay is expected to discuss UNESCO’s efforts in managing international tensions and conflicts, including the organization’s involvement in Yemen, Ukraine, and post-conflict recovery in Iraq. She will highlight UNESCO’s success in strengthening the unity of its Member States and advancing towards a more universal approach to its mandate, particularly noting the United States’ return to UNESCO in 2023.
On the agenda for February 22, the Director-General will outline UNESCO’s initiatives in reforming global governance, especially its leadership in coordinating global efforts towards achieving quality education for all, a key goal of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Azoulay will also shed light on UNESCO’s pioneering work in new technologies, including the establishment of the first global ethical framework for artificial intelligence in 2021 and the publication of the Global Principles for Trustworthy Online Information in November 2023.
The participation of UNESCO’s Director-General in the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting not only enhances the organization’s visibility on the world stage but also provides a platform to influence the global policy agenda in areas critical to UNESCO’s mission. Furthermore, Azoulay’s scheduled bilateral meetings with several foreign ministers during the event are expected to foster stronger international collaborations and support for UNESCO’s objectives.