Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "I am very pleased the United States has been reelected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"As I remarked during my visit to UNESCO last month, we believe that the organization’s mission to “build peace in the minds of men and women” is as important today as it was 70 years ago, when UNESCO was founded.

"As other countries’ representatives underscored with me in Paris, U.S. leadership is essential if the organization is to successfully carry out its mission.

"I am determined to restore U.S. funding to UNESCO, and hopeful that Congress will act to provide the Administration the authority needed to waive the current legislative restrictions that prohibit U.S. contributions to the organization.

"To our partners in UNESCO, the United States pledges to continue to work closely with you to address the urgent challenges we all face, including countering violent extremism, expanding educational opportunities for women and girls, stimulating groundbreaking scientific research, protecting and preserving the world’s cultural heritage, conserving ocean health, and promoting freedom of the press and protection of journalists."