Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany has emerged as the new Director-General of UNESCO, marking a historic moment for both Africa and the Arab world. The former Egyptian minister, an experienced Egyptologist, was overwhelmingly elected by member states during the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
El-Enany, 54, who served as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and later as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities between 2016 and 2022, will officially assume office on November 15. His victory makes him the first Arab and only the second African to lead the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency since its creation in 1945.
His election came at a time when UNESCO faces one of its toughest tests — managing the financial and political consequences of the United States’ decision to withdraw once again from the organisation.
Speaking after the results were announced, El-Enany said he was ready to steer the organisation toward unity and stability. “I want a strong and united UNESCO, a non-politicised organisation that chooses consensus over divisions,” he declared, promising that rebuilding the agency’s budget would be one of his top priorities.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, announced plans to pull out of UNESCO by the end of 2026, citing alleged bias against Israel and the promotion of “divisive” causes. It’s not the first time America has withdrawn — the Trump administration did so in 2017, before President Joe Biden restored membership upon taking office.
Now, with Washington preparing to step away once more, UNESCO faces a significant funding gap. El-Enany has hinted at a possible solution: “We must explore new partnerships and encourage responsible participation from the private sector,” he noted. Currently, private contributions make up less than ten percent of the organisation’s total budget.
Born in 1970, El-Enany’s story is one of steady progress and global recognition. He started as a guide in Cairo’s ancient sites before earning a PhD in Egyptology in France. His deep involvement in Egypt’s museum sector and cultural reforms eventually earned him national and international respect.
While many hail his appointment as a diplomatic victory for Egypt under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi — who has sought to expand Egypt’s global influence — not everyone is without concern. Some heritage activists have criticised El-Enany’s record, pointing to controversial development projects in Egypt’s historical districts, such as the partial demolitions around Cairo’s “City of the Dead.”
Defending his record, El-Enany has often argued that development and heritage protection can go hand in hand, provided “there is balance and respect for history.”
Analysts see his leadership as a chance for Africa and the Arab world to have a stronger voice in global cultural policy. Egypt had lobbied hard for the position, with backing from both the African Union and the Arab League.
UNESCO insiders say his main tasks will include rebuilding financial stability, maintaining neutrality in a politically divided world, and safeguarding the organisation’s credibility amid shifting international alliances.
El-Enany, known for his calm and methodical style, appears ready for the challenge. “UNESCO must be a home for dialogue, not a battlefield for politics,” he said during his first address to delegates. “Our heritage belongs to all humanity, and we must protect it together.”
\
