Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, has been elected Director-General of UNESCO, achieving a record victory during the organization’s 222nd Executive Board session in Paris.
El-Enany won 55 votes to 2 against Congo’s Firmin Edouard Matoko — the widest margin in UNESCO’s history — becoming the first Egyptian and Arab to lead the agency.
“I have visited 65 countries in 30 months… I pledge to modernize UNESCO without discrimination or personal agenda,” he said in his acceptance speech, promising “a UNESCO for the people.”
An Egyptologist born in Giza in 1971, El-Enany previously headed the Egyptian Museum and served as a professor at Helwan University. As minister (2019–2022), he revitalized Egypt’s cultural diplomacy and heritage sector.
In September, France awarded him the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur for his commitment to culture and dialogue. His election marks a new chapter for UNESCO — and a milestone for Egypt’s global leadership in education, science, and culture.
