The diplomatic delegation of the Antigua and Barbuda in Paris and Geneva holds the responsibility of representing Antigua and Barbuda both to UNESCO in Paris (as the Permanent Delegation of Antigua and Barbuda to UNESCO) and to the United Nations in Geneva (as the Permanent Representation of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva).
Under the leadership of His Excellency Boris LATOUR, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Permanent Representative Mr. Timothée BAUER, the Mission of Antigua and Barbuda in Paris and Geneva is actively engaged in the realm of multilateral diplomacy on the European continent, with a particular focus on the international organizations outlined below.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, established on 16 November 1945, is a specialized international agency under the United Nations (UN) umbrella. Its overarching mission is “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, and culture, with the aim of fostering universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of race, gender, language, or religion, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.”
UNESCO’s headquarters are situated in Paris, France, at 7 Place de Fontenoy, within the 7th arrondissement’s École-Militaire district. This headquarters serves as the central hub for more than fifty offices, as well as several institutes and centres globally, including the Institute for Statistics in Montreal and the International Bureau of Education in Geneva.
For Antigua and Barbuda, UNESCO holds substantial significance due to its reliance on tourism, intimately linked to the nation’s cultural assets, including UNESCO-managed protected natural sites. Furthermore, UNESCO’s initiatives in education and emerging technologies bear particular relevance to Antigua and Barbuda’s economy, which predominantly revolves around tertiary service sectors.
The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is located within the Palais des Nations, spanning the border between Geneva and Pregny-Chambésy in Switzerland. This historic edifice initially served as the League of Nations’ headquarters from 1936 to 1939 and was subsequently repurposed following the League’s dissolution in 1946.
The mission engages in various diplomatic activities, including negotiations, policy advocacy, and participation in UN meetings and conferences, to promote the country’s interests and contribute to international cooperation on various global issues. Additionally, it serves as a channel for communication and collaboration between Antigua and Barbuda and the UNOG, working towards the achievement of common goals related to peace, security, development, and human rights. Through its representation at UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in Geneva, the Antigua and Barbuda Mission plays a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s interests and actively participating in essential international collaborations within these esteemed organizations.