Egypt’s former tourism and antiquities minister, Khaled El-Enany, is one step closer to making history as UNESCO’s next director-general. The 52-year-old Egyptology professor secured a landslide victory during Monday’s executive board vote in Paris, earning 55 out of 57 valid votes. 🎉
From Cairo to the World Stage
El-Enany, a Helwan University professor with three decades of academic experience, has long been a champion of cultural preservation. If approved by UNESCO’s General Conference in November, he’ll become the first Arab leader and only the second African to head the agency since its founding in 1945.
Why This Matters
🌐 Represents a major shift in global cultural leadership
📚 Brings academic expertise to tackle challenges like heritage protection
🤝 Signals stronger collaboration between UNESCO and the Arab world
The final decision now rests with UNESCO’s 193 member states, who will gather in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this fall. With El-Enany’s nomination unopposed, his confirmation seems all but certain—a win for both Egypt and global cultural diplomacy. ✨
