The following is a list of U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The formal title is United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization with the rank of Ambassador during tenure of service.
The United States withdrew from UNESCO on December 31, 1984, rejoined in 2003, withdrew again in 2018, and rejoined again in 2023. On July 22, 2025, the United States announced its intent to withdraw once again from UNESCO, to be effective on December 31, 2026.
U.S. Permanent Representatives to UNESCO +AmbassadorImageAssumed officeLeft officeJohn Howard MorrowApril 2, 1961February 16, 1963Crane HaussamenJanuary 1, 1962September 13, 1964Robert Hirsch Beard WadeAugust 21, 1964September 20, 1969Pierre R. GrahamSeptember 7, 1969September 15, 1973William Bowdoin JonesSeptember 1, 1973August 3, 1977Esteban Edward TorresOctober 12, 1978September 8, 1979Barbara W. NewellSeptember 26, 1979February 16, 1981Jean Broward Shevlin GerardNovember 6, 1981December 31, 1984 Between 1985 and 2003, the United States was not a member of UNESCO.Louise V. OliverFebruary 12, 2004January 20, 2009David T. KillionAugust 10, 2009December 16, 2013Crystal Nix-HinesJuly 8, 2014January 20, 2017Chris Hegadorn(acting as Charge d'affaires ad interim)January 20, 2017July 23, 2018 Between 2018 and 2023, the United States was not a member of UNESCO.Courtney O'DonnellJune 2024January 20, 2025
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