Khaled El-Enany, former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt and candidate to become the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) poses during a photo session in Paris. AFP
The French foreign ministry confirmed its support after talks in Paris between Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, who is leading Cairo’s lobbying push in the French capital.
El-Enany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, is competing against Firmin Edouard Matoko of Congo, the current UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Africa and External Relations.
Mexico’s Gabriela Ilian Ramos Patiño, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, withdrew her candidacy in August.
Monday’s vote will decide which candidate the 58-member board nominates, before a final appointment by the UNESCO General Conference in October 2025.
The winner will replace France’s Audrey Azoulay when her term ends in November next year.
Bilateral ties and regional files
Alongside the UNESCO race, the two ministers discussed Egyptian-French ties and regional crises.
Abdelatty highlighted the need for expanding cooperation in energy, transport, and investment, and called for increased French involvement in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).
He stressed the need to step up cooperation on migration, calling for action against irregular routes while expanding legal pathways. Abdelatty also highlighted joint efforts on vocational training and capacity building, priorities echoed by the French minister.
On Gaza, Abdelatty urged a complete Israeli withdrawal, unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, and an end to forced displacement in the occupied West Bank.
He voiced support for international ceasefire efforts, including US President Donald Trump's initiative, and stated that Egypt plans to host a recovery and reconstruction conference once a ceasefire is achieved.
He also praised France’s recent recognition of the Palestinian state, calling it an “honourable position” that backed Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
The talks also touched on Sudan and Iran’s nuclear file, with Abdelatty urging international support for Sudanese civilians and a diplomatic path forward on Iran.
He underscored the necessity of giving diplomacy a chance to rebuild confidence, achieve regional security and stability, and create the conditions necessary for resuming negotiations.
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