Paris, 20 November 2025. – The Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO actively participated in the 223rd session of the Organization's Executive Board, held at its headquarters in Paris. A key outcome of this meeting was the election of the new President of this important governing body.
With a wide majority of 53 votes in favour, H.E. Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al-Hanzab, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to UNESCO, was elected to the position. During the session, the presidents of the various Board commissions and the membership of its Subsidiary Bodies were also appointed by acclamation.
In this latter area, Cuba's membership on the Committee on Conventions and Recommendations for the 2025-2027 period was reaffirmed, reflecting recognition of the Island's responsible and constructive work in this key mechanism for the defence of human rights within UNESCO's fields of competence.
The Organization's new Director-General, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, who assumed his mandate following the recent General Conference in Samarkand, addressed the Executive Board formally for the first time. In his speech, he outlined an extensive consultation plan to be carried out until March 2026 with his predecessors, the Secretariat, the field network, and all Member States. Dr. El-Enany expressed his interest in defining a roadmap for UNESCO aligned with the "UN 80" initiative and responding to Member States' calls for reform of working methods.
Taking the floor during the debate, H.E. Mrs. María del Carmen Herrera Caseiro, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Cuba to UNESCO, conveyed her most sincere congratulations to the newly elected President of the Executive Board and assurances of Cuba's full support for the conduct of his work. Furthermore, she commented on the need to strengthen cooperation and communication between the Secretariat and the Executive Board; the importance of safeguarding the priority commitment to the specific needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and the drive for necessary reforms to make UNESCO a more agile, efficient, and responsive organization to global challenges.
The upcoming 224th session of the Executive Board was scheduled to be held from 8 to 23 April 2026.
The UNESCO Executive Board, whose membership is elected by the General Conference, is one of the Organization's three constitutional organs. It acts as an administrative board and is responsible for preparing the work of the General Conference and ensuring the proper execution of its decisions. It meets regularly to oversee the implementation of the Organization's programme and budget.