The 6th of October marked a step we have taken together. The trust of many countries, and the dedication and unwavering support of so many, have brought us to this moment. To each of you, I extend my deepest gratitude.

With the Executive Board vote concluded, this victory marks only the beginning. In just a few weeks, at the General Conference in Samarkand on 6 November, Member States will elect the new UNESCO Director General. I hope to earn their trust so that, together, we can build an organization that listens to all and delivers real change around the world.

Over the past thirty months, through a campaign of dialogue across every region of the world, I have witnessed the beauty of diverse cultures, the strength of shared ideas and the lessons of every encounter. This experience has shaped a vision in which every nation has a voice at the table — a vision we now carry forward.

The path ahead is filled with promise, with opportunity and with energy — a promise to serve the people of the world and to protect our common heritage; a promise to make “UNESCO for the People” a living reality.