Luxembourg Hosts UNESCO Ambassadors as Part of Executive Board Candidacy

On Wednesday 9 July 2025, Luxembourg's Ministry of Culture, the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to UNESCO and the Luxembourg Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO reported that Luxembourg City had recently welcomed a delegation of UNESCO ambassadors.

The visit took place in the context of the Grand Duchy's candidacy for membership of the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-2029 period. Around 30 ambassadors accredited to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) participated in this study visit organised in the capital.

This initiative of the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to UNESCO, led by Permanent Delegate Nadia Ernzer and her team, was made possible with the support of Luxembourg for Tourism, the City of Luxembourg (Ville de Luxembourg - VdL) and the Luxembourg Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.

The programme aimed to highlight Luxembourg's "rich world heritage and cultural heritage, while demonstrating its deep commitment to the values ​​and ideals of UNESCO".

A key moment of the visit was the ambassadors' meeting with Luxembourg's Minister for Culture, Eric Thill, on the heights of the Chemin de la Corniche. The delegation also engaged in a lunchtime discussion with Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer about the successes and challenges of the City of Luxembourg and its historical and cultural heritage.

The ambassadors visited several emblematic sites in the capital, including the scenic Corniche - described by Batty Weber as "the most beautiful balcony in Europe" - as well as the old quarters and fortifications of Luxembourg City, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

Guy Thewes, Director of the Lëtzebuerg City Museum, accompanied the delegation through the UNESCO Visitor Centre, while UNESCO Site Manager Shaaf Milani-Nia led the tour alongside guides from the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO). The group also attended a presentation by Sébastien Reddeker, CEO of Luxembourg for Tourism, on the Grand Duchy's appeal as a tourist destination.

Moreover, the visit included an exchange with senior officials from Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade: Political Director Véronique Dockendorf and Director of International Cultural Relations André Biever.

The following countries were represented: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, China, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Japan, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Palau, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

According to Luxembourg's authorities, the "friendly and informative meeting" reflected the Grand Duchy's ongoing "commitment to actively contributing to the work of UNESCO, while promoting the country's image within international organisations".