Antigua and Barbuda Welcomes New Permanent Delegate to UNESCO

Timothée Bauer has been officially appointed as Antigua and Barbuda’s new Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, following a credentials presentation ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The ceremony was presided over by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

During their meeting, Director-General Azoulay, who previously served as France’s Minister of Culture, commended Antigua and Barbuda for its active engagement in UNESCO’s work through its Permanent Delegation in Paris.

Speaking on behalf of his country, Bauer reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to UNESCO’s mission. He highlighted the importance of UNESCO initiatives for small island developing states, noting their critical role in preserving both tangible and intangible world heritage, advancing education, fostering international cooperation in science and culture, and supporting economies that rely heavily on tourism.

Bauer’s remarks reflected the government’s ongoing engagement with UNESCO, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s official visit to Paris in 2023 to meet Director-General Azoulay, and Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries Daryll Matthew’s participation in UNESCO’s General Conference the same year.

UNESCO offers a wide range of programs tailored to the needs of small island developing states, from expanding access to advanced education and technology to safeguarding cultural and natural heritage sites and protecting fragile ecosystems. These initiatives are particularly important for Antigua and Barbuda.

Timothée Bauer joined the country’s diplomatic service in 2022, serving initially at Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna. Since 2023, he has been based in Paris, where he also serves as Chargé d’Affaires and head of the country’s Embassy to France. Bauer holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Law from the University of Geneva and has over a decade of experience as a law professor and attorney, including as Partner at prominent law firms.

The appointment of Bauer, a diplomat with expertise in education and international law, and the formal presentation of his credentials, underscores the strong and ongoing collaboration between Antigua and Barbuda and UNESCO, one of the United Nations’ key institutions.