Categories: AppointmentsCurrent Affairs

Khaled El-Enany Set to Become First Arab UNESCO Chief

Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, is on the cusp of making history as the first Arab Director-General of UNESCO. On October 6, 2025, the UNESCO Executive Board backed his nomination with an overwhelming majority, making him the front-runner ahead of the final vote by UNESCO’s 194-member General Conference in November 2025. If confirmed, El-Enany will succeed Audrey Azoulay of France and assume office in early 2026 for a four-year term, leading one of the world’s most influential organizations for education, science, culture, and heritage.

Profile of Khaled El-Enany: Scholar to Statesman

Born in 1971, Khaled El-Enany is a renowned Egyptologist, academic, and cultural diplomat. Before entering public service, he taught at Helwan University and was the founding director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Key Achievements

Minister of Antiquities (2016–2019)
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (2019–2022)
Oversaw the restoration of the Pyramids Plateau
Led the completion and promotion of the Grand Egyptian Museum
Spearheaded Egypt’s global tourism brand, “Experience Egypt”

El-Enany’s unique combination of heritage preservation and policy leadership earned him widespread support across the Arab League and African nations, culminating in his nomination victory by 55 votes to 2 over Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of Congo.

UNESCO Election Process: What’s Next?

The final step in El-Enany’s appointment is the November 2025 vote by the UNESCO General Conference, where all 194 member states will cast their ballots.
If approved, he will take over UNESCO leadership in early 2026.
His victory is significant for the Arab world, which has never before held the top post at UNESCO.
It also signals a potential shift in UNESCO’s cultural and development agenda, especially with regard to heritage in conflict zones, funding, and equity in representation.

Arab Leaders in Past UNESCO Campaigns

El-Enany’s nomination builds on past attempts by Arab candidates,

Farouk Hosny (2009) – Former Egyptian Culture Minister; unsuccessful due to international controversy
Moushira Khattab (2017) – Egyptian diplomat and human rights advocate; failed to secure enough votes
Samira Al-Moosa (Oman) – Influential in UNESCO’s governance, though not a candidate for DG

Their efforts laid the groundwork for El-Enany’s breakthrough, reflecting the Arab world’s persistent pursuit of leadership roles in global institutions.