UNESCO Prepares for a Leadership Transition.. Khaled El-Enany Edges Closer to Becoming Director-General
Sunday 05/October/2025 - 04:16 PM
The race for the leadership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) enters its decisive phase tomorrow as Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, emerges as one of only two finalists vying for the position of Director-General.
The 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, currently convened in Paris, will open its plenary session on Monday morning to prepare for the voting process. The General Conference is scheduled to officially appoint the next Director-General in November, during its session in Uzbekistan.
El-Enany, representing Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa, faces Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of the Congo in the final round. Matoko, 69, served until March as UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations—often dubbed the organization’s “foreign minister.”
A Two-Man Race for UNESCO’s Top Post
According to UNESCO’s official website, the election of the new Director-General will take place on November 6, following the completion of French Director-General Audrey Azoulay’s two consecutive terms.
Before that vote, the 58-member Executive Board—out of UNESCO’s 194 member states—will recommend one candidate from the shortlist, effectively signaling the likely winner ahead of the General Assembly’s final decision.
The competition was narrowed in August after the Mexican candidate withdrew, leaving only El-Enany, aged 54, and Matoko in contention.
Egypt’s Diplomatic Push
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, led a diplomatic effort in Paris last week to bolster support for El-Enany. Meeting with Arab ambassadors accredited to UNESCO, Abdel Aty emphasized that El-Enany’s candidacy represents not just Egypt, but a collective Arab and African aspiration to strengthen cultural cooperation and civilizational dialogue.
He praised the Arab League’s summit-level resolution in May 2024, which endorsed El-Enany as the sole Arab candidate—a milestone reflecting unprecedented Arab consensus on a leadership bid for the organization. Abdel Aty described the campaign as “a practical embodiment of the shared cultural heritage and historical contributions of Arab and African nations.”
El-Enany’s Vision: UNESCO Close to the People
Since announcing his candidacy in April 2023, El-Enany has embarked on a global outreach campaign, visiting over 60 countries to engage with governments, civil society, and local communities.
“These were not just official visits,” he said. “They were moments to listen, exchange, and learn from Member States and their people.”
He emphasized that UNESCO must remain “close to people, inclusive in spirit, and universal in action,” and shared an interactive map tracing his worldwide journey as a reflection of “a collective vision that guides us forward.”
A Regional Moment of Unity
Observers note that El-Enany’s candidacy, underpinned by strong regional backing, highlights renewed Arab and African engagement in multilateral institutions. Should he win, he would be the first Arab-African Director-General in UNESCO’s history—a development seen as symbolically significant amid calls to diversify leadership within the UN system.
As delegates prepare for Monday’s crucial vote, attention turns to Paris, where the outcome could reshape UNESCO’s direction for years to come.
