Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany has been elected as 12th Director-General of UNESCO, becoming the first Arab and the second African to hold this position. He secured 172 votes out of 174 ballots during the General Conference of UNESCO, succeeding Audrey Azoulay (France), who served since 2017. El-Enany will officially assume office on 15 November 2025 for a four-year term (renewable once).
About Khaled El-Enany
- Full Name: Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Languages: Arabic, French, and English
- UNESCO Position: 12th Director-General
- Tenure: 2025–2029
Historic First:
- First Arab Director-General of UNESCO
- Second African to hold the post after Amadou Mahtar Mbow (Senegal, 1974–1987)
Background and Career
- Former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt (2016–2022)
- Former Minister of Antiquities (2016)
- Former Director of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (2014–2016) and Egyptian Museum, Cairo (2015–2016)
- Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism, World Tourism Organization (appointed in 2024)
- Patron of the African World Heritage Fund
- Member of several international learned societies
- Recipient of multiple international distinctions and awards
Significance of His Election
Symbolic and Diplomatic Milestone
- Marks a historic first for the Arab world and a significant step toward greater regional representation in UN bodies.
- Enhances African and Arab voices in global cultural governance.
Institutional Challenges Ahead
El-Enany inherits leadership at a time when UNESCO faces:
- Funding shortfalls, especially after the U.S. withdrawal (2017–2023), which caused an 8% budget cut.
- Geopolitical polarization within member states.
- The need to strengthen cooperation on global education, culture, and heritage preservation.
Policy Focus Areas
Under his leadership, UNESCO is expected to emphasize:
- Protection of world heritage sites in conflict zones.
- Promoting intercultural dialogue and educational reform.
- Supporting developing countries in preserving cultural identity.
- Advancing cultural tourism and sustainable heritage development.
- Expanding public-private partnerships for funding global initiatives.
UNESCO Director-General
| Aspect | Details |
| Term Duration | 4 years (renewable once) |
| Election Process | Nominations by Member States → Selection by Executive Board (58 members) via secret ballot → General Conference (194 members) formal approval |
| Main Roles | Chief executive of UNESCO; implements policies of the General Conference and Executive Board |
| Functions | Global leadership in education, culture, and science Represent UNESCO internationally Oversee programmes on World Heritage, education, and scientific cooperation Manage budget and funding initiatives |
| Reporting Bodies | UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference |
Past Arab Candidacies for UNESCO Chief
| Name | Country | Year / Role | Outcome / Significance |
| Farouk Hosny | Egypt | 2009 | Faced controversy over anti-Israel remarks; candidacy failed |
| Moushira Khattab | Egypt | 2017 | Diplomat and human rights advocate; unsuccessful |
| Samira bint Mohamed Al-Moosa | Oman | Ongoing role in UNESCO governance | Not a candidate for DG, but held senior posts and led committees |
These efforts reflect the Arab world’s increasing aspiration to play leadership roles within UNESCO.
About UNESCO
Established: :16 November 1945
Headquarters: Paris, France (World Heritage Centre)
Membership:
- 194 Member States
- 11 Associate Members
Global Network:
- 54 Field Offices
- 200 National Commissions
- 2,300+ Employees Worldwide
Key Program Areas:
- Education – Global literacy, inclusion, and lifelong learning
- Natural Sciences – Sustainability, environment, climate research
- Social and Human Sciences – Ethics, inclusion, youth empowerment
- Culture – Heritage protection, creative economy, world heritage sites
- Communication & Information – Media freedom, AI ethics, access to information
UNESCO’s Major Global Initiatives:
- World Heritage Convention (1972)- Over 2,000 sites worldwide
- Man and the Biosphere Programme
- Global Geoparks Networ
- Creative Cities Network
- UNESCO Associated Schools Network (13,000+ institutions)
UNESCO Governance Structure
| Body | Composition & Role |
| General Conference | 194 Member States; meets every 2 years; decides overall strategy, programmes, and budget |
| Executive Board | 58 members; elected by the General Conference; monitors implementation of programmes |
| Director-General | Chief administrator; appointed for 4 years; represents UNESCO globally |
India and UNESCO
- India is a founding member, having ratified UNESCO’s Constitution on 4 November 1946, even before independence.
- Actively supports UNESCO’s goals in education, science, culture, and heritage preservation.
- Continuous Member of UNESCO’s Executive Board since 1946.
- Re-elected for the 2021–2025 term.
- Member of 19 UNESCO Conventions, including:
- Convention for Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
- Convention on Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
- Convention Against Doping in Sports (2005)
India’s UNESCO Heritage Footprint
- 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as of 2025)
- Active participant in Creative Cities Network (e.g., Jaipur, Lucknow, Hyderabad)
- Major partner in UNESCO education initiatives (e.g., Global Education Monitoring Report, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development – MGIEP).
Key Facts
| Category | Key Facts |
| UNESCO Founded | 1945 (post-WWII reconstruction effort) |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Official Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish |
| Current Membership (2025) | 194 Member States |
| Predecessor Body | League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation |
| UNESCO’s Motto | “Building peace in the minds of men and women” |
| India’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site | Ajanta Caves (1983) |
| UNESCO DG Before El-Enany | Audrey Azoulay (France, 2017–2025) |