site.btaMariya Gabriel to Serve as Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO

Mariya Gabriel has been appointed Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, the organization announced in a press release on Friday.

She will be responsible for the organization's Communication and Information Sector, covering freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, media development, access to information, and digital policies. She will also advise the Director-General and represent UNESCO at international forums.

Mariya Gabriel is the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, serving from 2023 to 2024. From 2019 to 2023, she was the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, and she was the youngest member of the European Commission when she was appointed in 2017 with responsibility for the digital economy and society. During her first term as European Commissioner, she led a global initiative to combat disinformation online. She has also held teaching and research positions at the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux.

Alongside Gabriel, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany also appointed Asa Charlotte Regner of Sweden as Deputy Director-General and Lidia Brito of Mozambique as Assistant Director-General in charge of Priority Africa and External Relations. The new senior management team members will assist the Director-General in promoting innovative partnerships and improving administrative efficiency. They will take up their posts at the beginning of March.