President Joe Biden has nominated Courtney O’Donnell, a senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and acting chief of staff to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, as the United States’ permanent representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This nomination follows the recent decision by the U.S. to rejoin UNESCO after a five-year hiatus initiated by former President Donald Trump.
O’Donnell has extensive experience in various senior roles, including as communications director for Jill Biden during Joe Biden’s vice presidency and as a senior executive at Airbnb, where she oversaw global partnerships.
As a trusted colleague with a strong background in global partnerships, public affairs, and strategic communications, O’Donnell is seen as an excellent choice for the UNESCO ambassador role.
Her appointment comes as the U.S. seeks to regain its influence within UNESCO, focusing on the preservation of cultural heritage and the advancement of education and science on a global scale.
The U.S. initially withdrew from UNESCO in 2017, citing concerns of anti-Israel bias within the organization. The decision followed UNESCO’s inclusion of Palestine as a member state in 2011, prompting the U.S. and Israel to halt their funding to the agency. The official withdrawal occurred in 2018.
Biden’s choice of O’Donnell as the U.S. ambassador to UNESCO underscores the administration’s commitment to international engagement and strengthening American leadership on the global stage.
The nomination will be subject to Senate confirmation. If confirmed, O’Donnell will represent the United States at the Paris-based UNESCO, an agency devoted to education, science, and culture worldwide.
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