Amal Clooney visits Athens for UNESCO meeting and discusses Parthenon Sculptures

High-level diplomatic meetings in Athens

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney met with Greek political leadership in Athens on 10 September 2026, attending the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors meeting held outside Paris for the first time. Arriving in the Greek capital on the evening of 8 September, Clooney began her official schedule at noon with a formal reception at the Presidential Mansion hosted by Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas. She then proceeded to the Maximos Mansion for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki. The meetings focused on international cultural diplomacy and ongoing efforts regarding the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.

The Parthenon Sculptures and legal groundwork

The visit marked a return to Athens twelve years after Clooney worked on legal advisory matters for the Greek government in October 2014. At that time, Tasoulas served as Culture Minister and commissioned Doughty Street Chambers, where Clooney practices alongside Geoffrey Robertson and Norman Palmer, to assess the legal basis for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum. During their meeting, Tasoulas presented Clooney with a printed edition of that 2014 legal opinion, produced by the printing house of the Hellenic Parliament. Clooney gifted Tasoulas two Oxford-published legal texts she authored, titled "The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law" and "Freedom of Speech in International Law".

Tasoulas reflected on the long-term relevance of the 2014 legal submission during their discussion.

And I must admit that your contribution with the legal opinion you submitted regarding the reunification of the Sculptures was truly crucial. It contributed to a deeper understanding of the core of the issue, because it is not just a question of return, nor is it a matter of defeat or victory for the United Kingdom. The reunification of the Sculptures with the Parthenon is a magnificent move and that is what the British side must understand.

UNESCO panel at the Temple of Olympian Zeus

In the evening, Clooney arrived at the Temple of Olympian Zeus shortly before 18:30 to participate in a panel discussion titled "Artificial Intelligence and Culture". The session was organised at the initiative of Konstantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou, the newly appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Protection and Promotion of Culture, who had previously briefed President Tasoulas on the initiative on 26 August. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, President Tasoulas, and Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou also addressed the attendees at the archaeological site. During her address, Clooney cited the cross-border loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France to the United Kingdom as a precedent for cultural collaboration.

Culture is truly a wonderful field of action where one can contribute to friendship and peace, in a world that is divided and marked by so many discords. I look forward to this evening's event for the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors Annual Meeting, which will take place in perhaps the most significant place I have ever been, at the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Acropolis Museum gala and cultural funding

The itinerary concluded with an official dinner scheduled for 20:30 at the Acropolis Museum, attended by Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki, who was scheduled to deliver a keynote address. Ticket and event proceeds from the gathering were designated for the UNESCO Fund for Culture, which finances international initiatives to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The event marked the conclusion of the formal UNESCO delegation schedule in Athens, following two days of working sessions and bilateral meetings across several ancient heritage sites.