Saint Lucia has achieved a historic milestone by being elected as the Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2023-2025. The election took place at the 218th session of the UNESCO Executive Board on Friday, 24th November 2023, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The country’s candidate, Mrs. Vera Lacoueilhe, emerged victorious over Brazil’s candidate with a vote tally of 36 to 20, with 2 abstentions. Mrs. Lacoueilhe, a seasoned diplomat, has been a vital part of Saint Lucia’s delegation to UNESCO since its beginning and is recognized for her expertise and extensive experience in diplomacy.
Her ability to forge consensus, a crucial skill for the role of the Presidency of the Executive Board, is highly regarded. Mrs. Lacoueilhe is noted for her deep understanding of UNESCO’s operations and procedures and her creativity in formulating solutions that accommodate the interests of all member states.
Following her election, Mrs. Lacoueilhe expressed her gratitude to the board members for their trust and support. She committed to promoting unity and cooperation to advance UNESCO’s mandate for the benefit of its member states.
The UNESCO Executive Board, a key constitutional organ of the organization alongside the General Conference and the Secretariat, is responsible for reviewing UNESCO’s program of work and budget. The Executive Board is composed of 58 member states, each serving a four-year term.
The Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO has extended its congratulations to the nation for this remarkable achievement and conveyed best wishes to Mrs. Lacoueilhe for a successful tenure as President of the Executive Board.
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