The Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has nominated Koichiro Matsuura to be its next Director-General. Matsuura is currently Japan's Ambassador to France, Djibouti and Andorra, and Chairperson of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. He previously served as Japan's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau, where he directed Japan's overseas development assistance efforts. The 186-nation General Conference of UNESCO is expected to confirm his appointment on 12 November. Matsuura will succeed Federico Mayor, who headed UNESCO since 1987. UNESCO is the lead administrative organization for the ICTP.