EU Omnibus Statement – 43rd Session of the General Conference, UNESCO

Monsieur le Président 

Madame la Directrice Générale, 

Monsieur le Président 

Madame la Directrice Générale, 

Vos Excellences

Mesdames et Messieurs, 

Je m’exprime au nom de l’Union européenne et les pays candidats comprenant l’Albanie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, République de Moldavie, le Montenegro, l'Ukraine, la Serbie, ainsi que la Principauté de Monaco, la Principauté d’Andorre, le Saint Marin.

C’est un grand honneur de prendre la parole devant cette Conférence générale à un moment où le monde se tourne vers l’UNESCO pour faire preuve de leadership, de vision et d’unité dans la défense des valeurs sur lesquelles cette Organisation a été fondée.

Nous souhaitons remercier chaleureusement la Directrice générale, Mme Audrey Azoulay, pour tout le travail accompli au sein de l’UNESCO dans son mandat.

Cette année marque les 80 ans de la fondation des Nations unies et de l'adoption de l'Acte constitutif de l'UNESCO. Aujourd'hui, nous nous trouvons dans un environnement géopolitique de plus en plus complexe et incertain, et le multilatéralisme est menacé. 

Collective solutions are the only sustainable path to tackle the complex challenges we face. The United Nations is a unique forum to provide a voice for all.

UNESCO was founded on the conviction that peace must be constructed in the minds of women and men. This principle remains more relevant than ever. We must continue to protect and promote human rights and gender equality as a guiding thread across all of UNESCO’s programmes and actions, in line with its constitutional mandate and the Pact for the Future. These are not abstract principles—they are the foundation of sustainable peace, development, and dignity for all.

We also see a crucial role for UNESCO in the broader UN landscape. Positioning UNESCO strategically within the wider UN system, notably in the context of the UN80 reform process, will ensure that its contribution is coherent, visible, and impactful—amplifying the value of its expertise and leadership.

We commend UNESCO for its swift and determined action to protect education and cultural heritage during wartime. It is essential that this support continues.

We reiterate our unwavering support for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. We also use this occasion to yet again call on the Russian Federation to cease, without delay, its war of aggression against Ukraine and to abide by the obligations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

We welcome the significant progress achieved by UNESCO in the implementation of its Programme of Emergency Assistance for Gaza and its engagement in the humanitarian cluster system. The EU welcomes the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump, as well as the outcome of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace held on 13 October 2025. 

In today’s increasingly digital landscape, UNESCO’s mission must also extend to the online sphere. The EU underlines the need for a human-centric and human rights-based approach to digital technologies - including the right to privacy, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom to seek and impart information and safeguards against algorithmic bias. We support UNESCO’s efforts to develop ethical frameworks for AI and neurotechnology. We encourage its continued work on promoting digital and information literacy - ensuring that all individuals are equipped with the skills to navigate and shape the digital world. 

The EU recognizes UNESCO’s unique role in defending freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. At a time when information is too often weaponized and journalists face increasing threats, in particular in situations of armed conflict, UNESCO must continue to be a leading voice and actor in upholding press freedom, ensuring that truth and accountability prevail over impunity.

The EU is a strong supporter of UNESCO’s programme on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists and welcomes the report on the implementation of the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers. Scientific knowledge and scientific advice should be reliable, verifiable, robust, pertinent and transparent, fully respecting scientific freedom, integrity and ethical principles, with a view to supporting evidence-based policymaking.

We reaffirm our strong support for UNESCO’s Global Priority Gender Equality. A gender- responsive approach must run through all areas of the Organization’s mandate—education, culture, communication and information, and the sciences. Empowering women and girls is both a moral imperative and a strategic investment in peace and prosperity.

The EU will also continue to support UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa, with a view to ensuring that, across all areas of this organization’s mandate, a sustainable and prosperous future is built with, by and for African countries and communities.

The EU encourages close cooperation with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to support their sustainable development, resilience, and cultural preservation. By combining UNESCO’s expertise in knowledge, science, and culture with the EU’s political and financial support, their engagement helps strengthen local capacities, foster innovation, and amplify the voices of SIDS in global policy discussions. 

We fully support UNESCO’ s engagement with youth and civil society which is essential to the mission of UNESCO, as it strengthens inclusive dialogue and shared responsibility in addressing global challenges. Young people bring energy, creativity, and new perspectives that help shape more sustainable and equitable solutions, while civil society organizations play a crucial role in mobilizing communities, amplifying local voices, and ensuring accountability. 

At the same time, we must ensure that UNESCO can deliver effectively and efficiently. Governance reforms, operational effectiveness, transparency, and accountability are essential to uphold the trust of Member States, particularly in the context of ongoing financial constraints. A strong, well-managed UNESCO is a UNESCO that can make a real difference on the ground.