1. Ambassador to UNESCO Lee Byong-hyun has been elected as Chairman of the Executive Board of UNESCO for the 2017-2019 term at the 203rd session of the Executive Board, held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on November 16.

o Ambassador Lee was elected to the position by winning 32 of 58 member states’ votes after competition with the Iranian Ambassador to UNESCO (Iran).

2. This is the first time for a Korean to be elected as Chairman of the Executive Board, UNESCO’s key governing body, since the ROK joined UNESCO 67 years ago, in 1950. It is a result of high regard for Ambassador Lee’s expertise and leadership, as well as the international recognition of the ROK government’s continued efforts to contribute to UNESCO in a range of areas, including education, science, culture and information and communications.

3. Amid growing calls for reform of UNESCO, Ambassador Lee is expected to support reform efforts at the organization objectively and fairly. As a current member of the Executive Board, the ROK government will also actively assist UNESCO in its efforts to contribute to achieving peace through global cooperation.


* unofficial translation