UNESCO board backs Egypt's Khaled el-Enany as its next chief

"The board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has nominated Egypt's Khaled el-Enany, an academic and former minister of tourism and antiquities, as its next head, ahead of the organisation's general conference next month. If confirmed, el-Enany, a professor of Egyptology at Cairo's Helwan University, would become the first Arab director-general of the organisation, which oversees the UN's handling of cultural heritage, alongside international cooperation efforts in other areas including science and education."

"The former minister campaigned widely for the role, which was also contested by Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabriela Ramos of Mexico, who withdrew from the race earlier this year. The decision by the board, which represents 58 of the agency's 194 member states, is expected to be finalised at a meeting of UNESCO's general assembly in Uzbekistan next month. The organisation's next leader will replace France's former Minister of Culture Audrey Azoulay who has served in the role since 2017."

"El-Enany's nomination comes as the Paris-based UN body continues to face political challenges, including in its work of choosing which cultural heritage sites to help preserve from threats including wars, pollution and climate change. The organisation is also set to face an eight percent funding cut at the end of 2026, when the United States again formally withdraws its membership, along with its funding."

Khaled el-Enany, a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University and former minister of tourism and antiquities, has been nominated by UNESCO's board to serve as director-general. If confirmed at UNESCO's general assembly in Uzbekistan, he would become the organisation's first Arab director-general. The board's decision followed campaigns against candidates including Firmin Edouard Matoko and Gabriela Ramos. The incoming leader will replace Audrey Azoulay, who led reconstruction efforts in Mosul. UNESCO faces political challenges in selecting cultural heritage sites and confronting threats from war, pollution and climate change. The organisation also faces an eight percent funding cut when the United States withdraws membership and funding at the end of 2026.

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