United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Director-General's List

A new Director-General is elected every four years (previously every six years) by the General Conference. Under his authority, the Secretariat is expected to translate into reality the programmes approved by the General Conference. The present Director-General of UNESCO, who was appointed in 1999, is Koïchiro Matsuura of Japan.

  • 1999 -
    Koïchiro Matsuura, Japan

  • 1987 - 1999
    Federico Mayor, Spain

  • 1974 - 1987
    Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow, Senegal

  • 1962 - 1974 (acting 1959, 1961-1962)
    René Maheu, France

  • 1958 - 1961
    Vittorino Veronese, Italy

  • 1953 - 1958
    Luther Evans, United States

  • 1952 - 1953 (acting DG)
    John W. Taylor, United States

  • 1948 - 1952
    Jaime Torres Bodet, Mexico

  • 1946 - 1948
    Julian Huxley, United Kingdom

    • 02Koïchiro Matsuura (1937-)
    Japan, 1999 -
     06Vittorino Veronese (1910-1986)
    Italy, 1958 - 1961
     07Luther Evans (1902-1981)
    United States, 1953 - 1958
     03Federico Mayor (1934-)
    Spain, 1987 - 1999
     08John W. Taylor (1906-2001)
    United States, Acting DG 1952 - 1953
     04Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow (1921-)
    Senegal, 1974 - 1987
     10Julian Huxley (1887-1975)
    United Kingdom, 1946 - 1948
     09Jaime Torres Bodet (1902-1974)
    Mexico, 1948 - 1952
     05René Maheu (1905-1975)
    France, 1962 - 1974 (acting 1959, 1961-1962)
    © UNESCO 1995-2007 - ID: 3657