Khaled El‐Enany Elected UNESCO Director-General — First Arab to Lead the Organization
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Dr. Khaled El-Enany, former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been elected by UNESCO’s Executive Board as the Director-General of UNESCO on October 6, 2025, securing 55 votes to 2 over his rival, Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of Congo.
This historic win means El-Enany is set to become the first Arab and only the second African since UNESCO’s foundation in 1945 to lead the organization. His appointment will be formally ratified by UNESCO’s General Conference, composed of all 194 member states, on November 6, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Background & Credentials
- Born in Giza, Egypt, in 1971, El-Enany is a distinguished Egyptologist and academic, holding a PhD from Paul Valéry University Montpellier III, France. He has taught at Helwan University and led major heritage institutions in Egypt.
- In government, he served first as Minister of Antiquities (2016–2019) and then as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities till 2022. During that time, he oversaw significant heritage projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum, restoration initiatives, and modernization of tourism infrastructure.
Vision & Challenges
El-Enany’s campaign emphasized inclusivity, cultural diplomacy, transparency, and making UNESCO more responsive to member states. In his remarks following the vote, he pledged to modernize the organization “without discrimination or personal agenda,” especially within his first 100 days.
However, the new leadership faces challenges, including a growing financial shortfall due in part to recent decisions by major contributors. El-Enany will need to address these funding gaps, ensure UNESCO’s relevance amid global tensions, and balance heritage conservation, education, science, and free expression across diverse contexts.
