Clyde Kull, the new Estonian Ambassador to UNESCO presented his credentials to UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay on 1 October in Paris.
Following the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Kull highlighted UNESCO’s importance when it comes to several issues that Estonia considers vital. “Estonia recognises UNESCO’s role in the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists,” Kull said. Director-General Azoulay reaffirmed that vocal support from countries like Estonia has a symbolic significance.

Photo: UNESCO/Christelle ALIX
They also discussed UNESCO’s actions in Ukraine and monitoring the situation in Crimea and Sevastopol in UNESCO’s areas of activity. They talked about the protection of indigenous peoples and 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Language; Estonia is a member of the Steering Committee of the thematic year.
The Director-General recognised Estonia for its work towards the mutual recognition of higher education, and they discussed the convention on this issue at the UNESCO General Conference in November.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at protecting international peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, culture, science, technology and media. UNESCO’s headquarters are located in Paris. Estonia joined the organisation in 1991.
Clyde Kull was born in 1959 in Võru and graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He has worked in the Estonian foreign service since 1991. In 1992-1996, he was the Estonian Ambassador to Belgium and Estonia’s Permanent Representative to NATO, in 1992-1997, Kull represented Estonia in the European Union in Brussels, from 2000 to 2004 at the UN headquarters and other international organisations in Geneva, and from 2004 to 2008, he served as the Estonian Ambassador to Germany. From 2012 to 2019, Kull was the Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia to the European Union and Estonia’s representative at the Committee of Permanent Representatives. Ambassador Kull has been appointed Estonia’s Ambassador to France and he resides in Paris.
Ambassador Clyde Kull speaks English, French, German, Swedish, Finnish and Russian.
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHps13i
Additional information:
Britta Tarvis
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]
+372 637 7627 / +372 5194 7045