The role of the ambassador and permanent representative of France to the United Nations () is the head of the French delegation to the United Nations in New York and the head of the Permanent Mission of France to the UN. The position carries the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and includes representation of France on the United Nations Security Council.
The permanent representative, currently Jérôme Bonnafont, represents France in the Security Council and in plenary meetings of the General Assembly, except when representation is assumed by a more senior authority, such as the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister or the President.
Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont took up his post as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in New York on 17 March 2025.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Office in Geneva and international organizations in Switzerland from September 2021. Concurrently, he acted as rapporteur-general of the États généraux de la diplomatie, a national consultation launched by President Emmanuel Macron and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, which led to the March 2023 reform plan aimed at strengthening France's diplomatic network.
His previous assignments include serving as advisor to Prime Minister Édouard Philippe in 2020, Director of the North Africa and Middle East Department at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (2015–2019), Ambassador to Spain (2012–2015), Chief of Staff to Minister for Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé (2011–2012), and Ambassador to India (2007–2011). Between 1997 and 2007, he was advisor for global affairs and spokesperson for the Presidency under President Jacques Chirac.
A graduate of the Denis Diderot class of the École nationale d'administration (ENA, 1986), Bonnafont has held numerous diplomatic and administrative posts, including assignments in New Delhi, Kuwait, the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York, the Department of Legal Affairs, and the Ministry of the Environment.
Officeholders ImageIncumbentStart of termEnd of termJoseph Paul-Boncour (Chairman of Delegation)19451946Alexandre Parodi1946194919491952Henri Hoppenot19521955Hervé Alphand19551956Bernard Cornut-Gentille1956195619561959 (first term)19591962Roger Seydoux19621967 (second term)19671970Jacques Kosciusko-Morizet19701972Louis de Guiringaud1972197619761981Luc de La Barre de Nanteuil19811984Claude de Kémoularia1984198719871991Jean-Bernard Mérimée19911995Alain Dejammet19951999Jean-David Levitte19992002Jean-Marc de La Sablière20022007Jean-Maurice Ripert20072009Gérard Araud20092014François Delattre20142019Nicolas de Rivière20192025Jérôme Bonnafont2025present
See also France and the United Nations Foreign relations of France
References
External links Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations