Jill Biden marks US reentry into UNESCO with a flag-raising ceremony in Paris

By THOMAS ADAMSON
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden has attended a flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO in Paris, marking Washington’s official reentry into the U.N. agency after a five-year hiatus. The Stars and Stripes was hoisted up outside UNESCO’s headquarters with the Eiffel Tower on the skyline, as Biden made remarks about the importance of American leadership in preserving cultural heritage and empowering education and science across the globe. The U.S. had announced its intention to rejoin UNESCO in June, and the organization’s 193 member states earlier this month voted to approve the U.S. reentry. Tuesday’s ceremony, which also featured a speech by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, formally signified the U.S. becoming the 194th member — and flag proprietor — at the agency.