Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khaled El-Enany, is set to become UNESCO’s next Director-General after securing 55 out of 57 votes from the organisation’s Executive board on Monday, October 6.
His nomination will be presented to UNESCO’s General Conference in Uzbekistan on 6 November for final ratification—a step that has never been overturned.
If confirmed, the 54-year-old Egyptologist will be the first Arab and only the second African to lead the agency, succeeding France’s Audrey Azoulay after her two terms in office. El-Enany emerged as the frontrunner after a two-year global campaign, defeating the Republic of Congo’s Firmin Edouard Matoko following the withdrawal of a Mexican candidate.
El-Enany’s leadership begins at a delicate time for UNESCO, which faces political tensions and a looming financial shortfall. The United States has announced its withdrawal from the organisation by the end of 2026, citing claims of bias against Israel—a move that will strip UNESCO of eight per cent of its funding. Nicaragua has also pulled out in protest over a press freedom award. El-Enany has pledged to use diplomacy to restore U.S. engagement and steer the agency through these headwinds, taking office on 14 November if approved.