B’nai B’rith International welcomes the appointment of new United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay. B’nai B’rith sent a letter congratulating her on her nomination several weeks ago.
 
In their letter, B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: “We offer you our sincere best wishes upon your assumption of this very important role, as well as our support for redoubling UNESCO’s commitment to its essential founding mission.”

Additionally, Saltzman and Mariaschin wrote: “As a non-governmental organization that was present at the founding conference of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, and one maintaining multiple official accreditations including associate status at UNESCO, we look forward to working with you in any appropriate manner during what we know to be a highly challenging moment. We and other longstanding partners of the U.N. have been especially alarmed by an extreme and inflammatory politicization that threatens to undermine the very standing, let alone objectives, of UNESCO. This would represent a loss that the international community must not accept; UNESCO’s unique promise simply remains too substantial.”
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They concluded: “Your principled and effective leadership will be crucial to the future of one of the world’s foremost multilateral institutions.”