In a move poised to make history, UNESCO’s executive board has nominated renowned Egyptologist and former Egyptian minister Khaled El-Enany as the agency’s next director-general. The vote, held in Paris on October 6, 2025, saw El-Enany emerge as the clear favorite, securing 55 out of 57 votes cast by the board, according to FRANCE 24. If his nomination is confirmed at UNESCO’s General Conference on November 6 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, El-Enany will become the first director-general from the Arab world and only the second from Africa, following Senegal’s Amadou Mahtar Mbow, who held the post from 1974 to 1987.
The outcome of the executive board’s vote is widely seen as decisive. As TEMPO.CO notes, UNESCO has never gone against a recommendation by its executive board, making El-Enany’s appointment almost certain. The 54-year-old Egyptologist will succeed France’s Audrey Azoulay, who has served two four-year terms at the helm of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
El-Enany’s path to this nomination is marked by an impressive blend of scholarship, government service, and international engagement. Born in 1971, he is currently a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University in Cairo, where he has been teaching for over three decades. His academic credentials include a PhD from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University in France, where he continues to serve as a visiting professor. He has also held administrative roles such as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, Director of the Open Learning Centre, and Head of the Tour Guide Department at Helwan University, as reported by Kazinform News Agency.
El-Enany’s leadership in Egypt’s cultural and tourism sectors has been widely recognized. Between 2014 and 2016, he directed two of Egypt’s most prestigious institutions: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities, later taking on the expanded role of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities until 2022, following a merger of the two ministries. During his tenure, he oversaw significant projects including the opening of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo and the restoration of the Jewish Temple, as well as a series of high-profile archaeological discoveries. His efforts in cultural preservation and tourism promotion earned him international distinction, and in 2024, he was appointed Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism by the World Tourism Organization, according to Media India.
El-Enany’s campaign for UNESCO’s top job was both extensive and strategic. Over more than two years, he visited 65 countries and met with 400 individuals, building a broad coalition of support. The African Union and Arab League were among those backing his bid, underlining the significance of his potential appointment for both Africa and the Arab world. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi hailed El-Enany’s nomination as a "historic success" for Egypt, a sentiment echoed in domestic and international media coverage.
His only challenger for the post was Firmin Edouard Matoko, an economist from the Republic of Congo known for his work promoting education in refugee camps. The contest, however, was not close: El-Enany’s overwhelming support among board members reflected both his credentials and the momentum behind his candidacy.
If confirmed, El-Enany will take office on November 14, 2025, at a time when UNESCO faces significant challenges. Chief among them is a looming budget shortfall, exacerbated by the United States’ decision to withdraw from the organization—a move set to take effect at the end of 2026. Washington currently contributes about 8% of UNESCO’s overall funding, and its absence is expected to leave a substantial gap. The Trump administration’s decision to leave the agency was rooted in allegations of anti-Israel bias and the promotion of "divisive" causes, as reported by TEMPO.CO and FRANCE 24. More recently, Nicaragua also announced its withdrawal after UNESCO awarded its annual press prize to a Nicaraguan newspaper whose staff had been forced into exile.
El-Enany has made clear that addressing UNESCO’s financial stability will be a top priority. "The current challenge is the budget. That is going to be the priority of all of us," he told reporters after the executive board vote, as quoted by TEMPO.CO. He has also pledged to work towards bringing the United States back into the fold, recognizing the importance of American support for the agency’s mission and operations. "Regaining the US as a member will be a priority," he stated.
UNESCO’s mandate remains as vital as ever. The Paris-based agency is best known for its World Heritage program, which identifies and protects sites of outstanding cultural and natural value across the globe. Beyond that, UNESCO promotes education for girls, fosters Holocaust awareness, funds scientific research in developing countries, and leads efforts to combat antisemitism and religious intolerance. El-Enany has vowed to continue these efforts, emphasizing his commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting intercultural understanding.
His linguistic fluency—he speaks Arabic, French, and English—positions him well for the demands of international diplomacy. His academic and administrative achievements, coupled with his experience navigating the complexities of cultural heritage management and tourism, have earned him several international distinctions. He is also the patron of the African World Heritage Fund, further underscoring his commitment to preserving the continent’s rich cultural legacy.
El-Enany’s appointment would mark a significant milestone for both Egypt and UNESCO. Not only would he be the first Arab to lead the organization, but his leadership could also signal a renewed focus on bridging divides—whether financial, cultural, or political. As the world watches the upcoming vote in Uzbekistan, many see his nomination as a chance for UNESCO to reaffirm its role as a guardian of global heritage and a champion of education, science, and culture for all.
With the confirmation vote set for November 6, all eyes are on Samarkand. If the General Conference follows precedent, Khaled El-Enany will soon step into one of the most influential roles in international cultural diplomacy, tasked with steering UNESCO through uncertain waters and toward a more inclusive, well-funded, and impactful future.
