Audrey Azoulay

Audrey Azoulay is a French-Moroccan civil servant and politician currently serving as the Director-General of UNESCO, a role she has held since 2017. She succeeded Irina Bokova, becoming the second woman to lead the organisation. Her leadership focuses on restoring UNESCO’s credibility, promoting education, safeguarding cultural heritage, and addressing global challenges such as digital transformation and ethics in artificial intelligence. Azoulay was re-elected for a second term in 2021.

Before joining UNESCO, Azoulay was France's Minister of Culture from 2016 to 2017. During her tenure, she increased the ministry’s budget to a record €2.9 billion and supported initiatives such as safeguarding cultural heritage in conflict zones and advocating for gender equality in the arts. She also presented UN Security Council Resolution 2347, which focused on protecting cultural heritage in armed conflicts.

Azoulay launched several significant initiatives at UNESCO, including the "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" project to rebuild historical sites in Iraq and the "Global Education Coalition" during the COVID-19 pandemic, which supported over 400 million students worldwide. She also prioritised addressing gender bias in artificial intelligence and promoting sustainable development through education and cultural preservation.

Her efforts to depoliticise UNESCO have been praised, promoting collaboration among member states and resolving longstanding disputes. Notably, her leadership facilitated consensus on sensitive issues, including agreements between Israel, Palestine, and other nations.

Born in 1972 in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, Azoulay comes from a family with a strong cultural and political background. Her father, André Azoulay, is an adviser to the King of Morocco. She holds a master’s degree in management sciences from Paris Dauphine University, an MBA from Lancaster University, and studied at Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration (ENA), where she graduated in 2000. Her education laid the foundation for her impactful career in public service and culture.

Audrey Azoulay was born on 4 August 1972 in La Celle-Saint-Cloud, France. She pursued her education in management sciences, earning a master’s degree from Paris Dauphine University. She later completed an MBA at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. Azoulay also studied at Sciences Po and graduated from the prestigious École nationale d'administration (ENA) in 2000, which prepared her for a career in public administration.

Azoulay began her professional journey as a civil administrator in the French government in 2000. She worked under Prime Minister Lionel Jospin in the general secretariat, focusing on public audiovisual policies. Her responsibilities included managing strategies and funding for media organisations and contributing to the European Commission’s programmes for media development in pre-accession countries.

In 2006, she joined the National Centre of Cinematography and the Moving Image (CNC), where she held various senior roles, including Deputy Director-General. At the CNC, she worked on modernising France’s film support system, legal and financial administration, and multimedia affairs.

In 2014, Azoulay became a cultural advisor to French President François Hollande. She developed policies to safeguard endangered cultural heritage and support cultural industries. In 2016, she was appointed France’s Minister of Culture. During her tenure, she increased the ministry’s budget to €2.9 billion, supported gender equality in contemporary art, and championed international efforts to protect cultural heritage in conflict zones.

In 2017, Azoulay was elected Director-General of UNESCO, where she addressed the organisation’s financial challenges and rebuilt trust among member states. Her leadership included launching initiatives like the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” project to rebuild Iraq’s cultural heritage and the “Global Education Coalition” during the COVID-19 pandemic to support students worldwide. She also led efforts to create global standards for artificial intelligence ethics and promote gender equality.

Azoulay was re-elected as UNESCO’s Director-General in 2021, continuing her work to strengthen the organisation’s role in global cultural and educational development. Her leadership has advanced UNESCO’s activities in sustainable development, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment.

In September 2023, Azoulay, alongside Peng Liyuan, China's First Lady and UNESCO Special Envoy, awarded the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education to the China Children and Teenagers' Fund and the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, recognising their efforts in advancing female education.

In May 2024, she co-presented the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards to five distinguished female scientists from various regions, acknowledging their pioneering research in life and environmental sciences.

Audrey Azoulay envisions a world where education, culture, and science serve as powerful tools for sustainable development, social inclusion, and global cooperation. As Director-General of UNESCO, her vision focuses on ensuring access to quality education for all, promoting the preservation of cultural heritage, and addressing emerging challenges like digital transformation and artificial intelligence ethics. She emphasises the importance of gender equality and youth empowerment in achieving these goals. She aims to strengthen UNESCO’s role as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and action, helping member states address global challenges with inclusive and collaborative solutions.

In May 2024, she co-presented the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards to five distinguished female scientists from various regions, acknowledging their pioneering research in life and environmental sciences. In September 2023, Azoulay, alongside Peng Liyuan, China's First Lady and UNESCO Special Envoy, awarded the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education to the China Children and Teenagers' Fund and the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, recognising their efforts in advancing female education. Under her leadership, UNESCO awarded the 2024 Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to Palestinian journalists covering Gaza, highlighting their courage in reporting under challenging conditions.