Egypt's Khaled el-Enany nominated as UNESCO’s director-general
In a statement on X on Monday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi praised the nomination as a "historic achievement" for Egypt and a milestone for Arab and African diplomacy and culture.
Former Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany is poised to become the first Arab to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), after the agency's executive board nominated him for the position of Director General on Monday.
Reports indicate that the UNESCO executive board voted 55 to 2 in favour of Khaled, 54, defeating his only rival, 69-year-old Édouard Firmin Matoko of the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC).
The executive board's decision, representing 58 of UNESCO's 194 member states, is expected to be finalised at the agency's general assembly in Uzbekistan next month, where Khaled will formally take over an organisation facing a budget deficit following the US' withdrawal.
More To Read
- Egypt launches investigation after ancient artefact disappears from sealed tomb
- Egypt reopens Pharaoh Amenhotep III’s tomb after 20 years of restoration
- Cairo peace talks offer new hope for Gaza as Hamas signals readiness for truce
- World Teachers’ Day 2025: UNESCO warns poor support systems are driving teachers out of the profession
- UNESCO unveils virtual museum of world's stolen cultural objects
- Africa’s Sh905 billion book industry faces challenges despite growth potential - UNESCO
President Donald Trump has often criticised UNESCO, saying it is biased against Israel after admitting Palestine as a member in 2011. Supporters of the agency in the US, however, maintain that by pulling out, Washington will give China too much influence in the organisation.
Khaled's nomination is expected to be welcomed by Arab nations, who have long sought leadership of the UN agency. Backed by the Arab League and the African Union (AU), Khaled would become the first Arab to head UNESCO if confirmed.
In a statement on X on Monday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi praised the nomination as a "historic achievement" for Egypt and a milestone for Arab and African diplomacy and culture.
"This well-deserved triumph embodies Egypt's standing as a great civilisation, reaffirms the capability of its sons and daughters to play leading roles in international forums and reflects the world's confidence in Egypt's competent professionals that combine knowledge, expertise and devotion," he said. "I wish all the best to Dr El-Nany in his noble mission."
Prior to his nomination at UNESCO, Khaled served as Egypt's Minister of Antiquities from March 2016 to December 2019, before leading the merged Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities from December 2019 to August 2022, having risen through the ranks from his early work as a tour guide at ancient sites.
Khaled is a renowned Egyptologist with a doctorate from France and teaches Egyptology at Helwan University in Cairo.
He oversaw major projects such as the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation and key archaeological discoveries that revitalised Egypt's tourism sector during his tenure.
Top Stories Today
