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Khaled El-Enany nominated as UNESCO’s next director-general
In a landmark decision on Monday, UNESCO’s Executive Board selected former Egyptian minister Khaled El-Enany as the organization’s next Director-General, winning 55 votes against 2 for his competitor, Édouard Firmin Matoko of the Republic of Congo, with the United States abstaining.
El-Enany’s appointment still requires formal approval from all UNESCO member states, scheduled for Nov. 6 during the General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. If confirmed, he will succeed Audrey Azoulay and assume office in mid-November.
A distinguished Egyptology professor at Helwan University, El-Enany brings over three decades of experience in academia and cultural administration. He served as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and later as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities from 2016 to 2022, overseeing major archaeological projects, museum renovations, and modernization of heritage sites. His potential appointment marks a historic moment, as he would be the first Arab to hold UNESCO’s top post.
However, El-Enany faces significant challenges. UNESCO is confronting a financial shortfall due to the planned U.S. withdrawal in December 2026, which could reduce its annual budget by approximately $75 million. He has committed to pursuing alternative funding through private partnerships, innovative revenue models, and collaboration with the tech sector, while pledging transparent leadership and impartial handling of all member-state issues.
Matoko, a former senior UNESCO official and Assistant Director-General responsible for Africa and external relations, joined the race in March 2025. Despite his extensive agency experience, he failed to gain enough support.
Analysts view El-Enany’s nomination as a shift in global cultural leadership. Supported by the Arab League, African Union, France, and multiple European and Latin American countries, his candidacy reflects broad international alliances. Critics, however, emphasize that realizing his financial and reform commitments will demand strong political resolve and strategic diplomacy.