Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, former Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations and UNESCO and President of the United Nations Association of Hungary and the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, has been elected President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) at the organisation’s anniversary World Congress and 44th Plenary Assembly in Geneva. The distinguished diplomat has close ties with Széchenyi István University, which awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2025 in recognition of her outstanding career and achievements.

The election took place in the 80th year of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. Established in 1946, one year after the founding of the United Nations, WFUNA is now a global civil society organisation bringing together national United Nations Associations and their members in more than one hundred countries. Dedicated to promoting and strengthening the ideals, values and goals of the United Nations, the Federation connects the UN with citizens around the world. Its activities place particular emphasis on youth engagement, education, cooperation with universities and civil society communities, and the promotion of multilateralism and international dialogue.

Hungary has been an active participant in the international movement of United Nations Associations since its inception. Katalin Bogyay’s unanimous election represents significant international diplomatic recognition and is also a landmark achievement for Hungarian multilateral and cultural diplomacy.

Katalin Bogyay previously represented Hungary in Paris as Ambassador to UNESCO and subsequently in New York as Ambassador to the United Nations. From 2011 to 2013, she served as President of the 36th session of the General Conference of UNESCO. Prior to this, she was Director of the Hungarian Cultural Centre in London and founder of the “Magyar Magic” cultural festival. She currently serves as President of the United Nations Association of Hungary and the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, and is also a university lecturer and author. Her diplomatic work focuses on multilateralism, cultural diplomacy, intercultural dialogue and the promotion of a culture of peace, as well as strengthening the international engagement of women and young people. She is the Founding President of the international Women4Diplomacy movement.

Ambassador Bogyay has maintained close professional ties with Széchenyi István University for many years. In September 2025, the University awarded her an honorary doctorate in recognition of her outstanding career and achievements.

Katalin Bogyay received her honorary doctorate from Széchenyi István University at the University’s Academic Day last September. (Photo: Gergely Nagy)

“We are particularly proud that an honorary doctor of our University has been entrusted with this prestigious international position. In Katalin Bogyay, the World Federation of United Nations Associations has chosen a distinguished diplomat who, throughout her career, has consistently championed international dialogue, sustainability, education and intercultural cooperation. We are delighted to have worked together on numerous joint initiatives over the past few years, and we trust that we will be able to further strengthen this cooperation in her new role,” said Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice-President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, who has been a member of the Executive Board of the United Nations Association of Hungary for nearly twenty years.

In recent years, Széchenyi István University has organised a number of joint programmes with the involvement of Katalin Bogyay, including the Majlis lecture series on the role of higher education in sustainability and professional forums focusing on the values of the United Nations. These events have given students and staff first-hand insight into the global perspective represented by the United Nations Association of Hungary and the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO. These initiatives also align with Széchenyi István University’s internationalisation and sustainability objectives. As an associate member of the United Nations Academic Impact initiative, the University places particular emphasis on supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which have also provided the focus for several of its events.

Dr Eszter Lukács and Katalin Bogyai (Máté Dudás)