Amid the ongoing legal troubles of her stepson Hunter Biden, First Lady Jill Biden traveled to France to mark the United States’ re-entry into the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) this week.

The 72-year-old first lady, whose stepson has recently faced a federal plea deal for tax and gun crimes in a Delaware court, participated in a flag-raising ceremony in Paris to signify America’s renewed commitment to global collaboration and peace.

First Lady Jill Biden in Paris, with her daughter Ashley (right), and France’s first lady Brigitte Macron (center). pic.twitter.com/tudnSzpGME

— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 25, 2023

During the event, Jill Biden expressed her honor in rejoining UNESCO, reiterating President Biden’s promise to restore US leadership on the world stage.

Jill Biden, the first lady of the United States, is in Paris this week to announce her country’s return to UNESCO. https://t.co/oEivvromNm pic.twitter.com/oqf06HwzVy

— Voice of America (@VOANews) July 26, 2023

The move comes as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to counter China’s growing influence in international bodies. Director-General Audrey Azoulay also attended the ceremony, affirming the agency’s intention to strengthen global unity in the face of divisions and existential threats, referencing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The decision to rejoin UNESCO was announced by the Biden administration in June, marking a reversal of the Trump administration’s exit from the organization in 2017. The agency had previously drafted resolutions critical of Israel, referring to it as an “occupying power” over Palestinian territories.

In response to UNESCO’s perceived bias against Israel, both Israel and the US withheld funding from the agency. The Biden administration’s commitment to UNESCO includes a pledge of $150 million for its 2024 budget and an additional $619 million in the coming years to recover losses incurred since the US funding was withdrawn.

Accompanying the first lady on her trip was her daughter Ashley Biden, who also posed for pictures with French First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Elysée Palace.

Hunter Biden, 53, faced legal challenges in a Delaware court, pleading not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay income taxes and a felony weapons charge.