The role of the ambassador and permanent representative of France to the United Nations (French: ambassadeur et représentant permanent de la France auprès des Nations Unies) 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.
| Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations | |
|---|---|
 Arms of France | |
since 17 March 2025 | |
| Style | His Excellency |
| Appointer | President of France |
| Formation | 1946 |
| Website | Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations |
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.
Biography
editJérôme 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
edit| Image | Incumbent | Start of term | End of term |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Joseph Paul-Boncour (Chairman of Delegation) | 1945 | 1946 |
 |
Alexandre Parodi | 1946 | 1949 |
| Jean Chauvel | 1949 | 1952 | |
| Henri Hoppenot | 1952 | 1955 | |
| Hervé Alphand | 1955 | 1956 | |
| Bernard Cornut-Gentille | 1956 | 1956 | |
| Guillaume Georges-Picot | 1956 | 1959 | |
| Armand Bérard (first term) | 1959 | 1962 | |
 |
Roger Seydoux | 1962 | 1967 |
| Armand Bérard (second term) | 1967 | 1970 | |
| Jacques Kosciusko-Morizet | 1970 | 1972 | |
| Louis de Guiringaud | 1972 | 1976 | |
| Jacques Leprette | 1976 | 1981 | |
| Luc de La Barre de Nanteuil | 1981 | 1984 | |
| Claude de Kémoularia | 1984 | 1987 | |
| Pierre-Louis Blanc | 1987 | 1991 | |
| Jean-Bernard Mérimée | 1991 | 1995 | |
| Alain Dejammet | 1995 | 1999 | |
 |
Jean-David Levitte | 1999 | 2002 |
| Jean-Marc de La Sablière | 2002 | 2007 | |
 |
Jean-Maurice Ripert | 2007 | 2009 |
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Gérard Araud | 2009 | 2014 |
 |
François Delattre | 2014 | 2019 |
 |
Nicolas de Rivière | 2019 | 2025 |
| Jérôme Bonnafont | 2025 | present |