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.

Key Facts

• UNESCO Executive Board vote: Oct 6, 2025
• Final General Conference vote: November 2025
• Candidate: Khaled El-Enany (Egypt)
• Vote result: 55–2 in Executive Board
• First Arab to be nominated for Director-General