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Kerry to push for US leadership role at UNESCO

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the Expo World's Fair in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Kerry says the stability of the world is directly linked to climate change and its impact on food security for billions of people. In a speech to the Milan Expo on Saturday, Kerry argued that unrest tied to climate change-induced agricultural failure poses an international threat. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at the Expo World's Fair in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Kerry says the stability of the world is directly linked to climate change and its impact on food security for billions of people. In a speech to the Milan Expo on Saturday, Kerry argued that unrest tied to climate change-induced agricultural failure poses an international threat. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

By Associated Press October 18, 2015 1 min read

PARIS (AP) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has launched a charm offensive against UNESCO in a bid to keep the U.S.’s seat on the world cultural agency’s executive board.

Kerry will make his case Sunday for U.S.’ re-election to a gathering of UNESCO’s 195 member states and nine associate members as he travels between meetings in Italy and Spain.

The bid ahead of next month’s vote is likely to run into resistance as the U.S. stopped paying its dues to the U.N.’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization following the body’s decision to admit Palestine in 2011. The U.S. lost its vote in UNESCO’s general assembly in 2013.

The State Department says it remains determined to resolve the funding issue, and that U.S. leadership at UNESCO remains important.