In an election that stunned diplomats in Paris and Cairo alike, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, won an overwhelming 55 of 57 votes to become the next Director-General of UNESCO.
He is the first Egyptian and Arab, and only the second African, ever to lead the organization that defines and defends the world’s shared heritage.
El-Anany’s appointment will be formally ratified by UNESCO’s General Conference in November, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the organization and for Egypt’s role in international cultural diplomacy.
“It’s a victory that goes beyond me. It’s a vote of confidence in Egypt’s ability to build consensus and in the idea that heritage, education, and culture can still unite a divided world,” Dr. El-Anany told Al-Ahram Daily.
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Al-Ahram Daily: You received unprecedented international support in your election. What do you believe explains such overwhelming backing?
El-Anany: This support was no coincidence. It reflected a combination of factors that came together harmoniously. First, Egypt’s candidacy presented a clear and comprehensive vision for UNESCO’s future—one centered on collective action and inclusivity, ensuring that the organization truly serves all member states, especially developing ones.
Second, our campaign was built on genuine communication—listening carefully to countries’ priorities and aspirations. This created trust and the sense that this nomination represented everyone, not a single state. Third, the official Arab and African endorsement—through the Arab League and the African Union—gave the bid exceptional strength as an expression of unity and a shared voice.
And, of course, Egyptian diplomacy played a decisive role. It operated with professionalism and precision, reflecting Egypt’s historical and cultural depth. Ultimately, this overwhelming support was a vote of confidence in Egypt’s credibility and its ability to lead with balance and vision.
Al-Ahram Daily: Your victory has been described as a triumph for Egyptian diplomacy. What does it signify in your view?
El-Anany: Indeed, this win is the culmination of Egypt’s long tradition of wise, balanced, and consensus-driven diplomacy. It is not a personal victory; it is a collective achievement that demonstrates Egypt’s strength and stature at the regional and global levels.
Egyptian diplomacy has always sought dialogue, not confrontation. It values mutual respect and constructive solutions—the same principles that lie at the heart of UNESCO’s mission. The scale of the vote was, in essence, a global expression of confidence in Egypt’s approach under the leadership of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, which emphasizes moderation, cooperation, and bridge-building.
This result shows that Egypt continues to have an influential and respected voice internationally—and that it remains capable of leading a global dialogue that serves the interests of all peoples.
Al-Ahram Daily: You recently met President El-Sisi, this time as an international figure. How was this meeting different?
El-Anany: The meeting carried deep symbolism and great responsibility. It was unlike any of our previous encounters because it came after the election victory, not as a national official but as the nominee for an international post.
The conversation was about Egypt’s historic role in fostering dialogue among nations and how this mission can continue through my work at UNESCO. The President emphasized that Egypt’s success is also Africa’s and the Arab world’s success. He described it as a bridge connecting North and South, East and West—a message that Egypt will always remain a link between civilizations.
It was a moment filled with pride, but also humility. The message was clear: when Egypt succeeds, it succeeds for humanity as a whole.
Al-Ahram Daily: Conflict zones pose serious challenges to protecting heritage. How do you intend to approach this issue as UNESCO’s new leader?
El-Anany: Conflict areas are among the most complex challenges for cultural and natural heritage protection. They combine direct threats to sites and people with wider humanitarian and political implications. But I deeply believe that heritage in such areas is not merely stone and monument—it embodies memory, identity, and the path to reconciliation.
I intend to act along three main pillars. First, prevention and preparedness: updating early-warning mechanisms, training local teams, and improving emergency response systems.
Second, international coordination: UNESCO cannot work alone; we must cooperate with the UN, humanitarian agencies, and even peacekeeping missions, recognizing that protecting heritage is part of human security.
Third, post-conflict recovery: launching international initiatives to rehabilitate damaged sites, as we did in Mosul, and to use culture as a tool for peacebuilding.
Protecting heritage in times of conflict is not just cultural work—it is moral work. When we save heritage, we safeguard human dignity and hope.
Al-Ahram Daily: Egypt is preparing to open the Grand Egyptian Museum, which you helped shape. How do you see this project now, as a global official?
El-Anany: The Grand Egyptian Museum is more than a national project—it’s a message to the world. For me, it’s personal, national, and universal all at once. It embodies the idea that heritage is not the past—it is a living energy that builds the future.
Now, as UNESCO’s incoming Director-General, my presence there will have a new meaning. The museum represents a global model of cooperation in culture and heritage. It’s Egypt’s invitation to humanity to see that preserving civilization is not about freezing it, but reviving it for new generations.
The museum stands as a symbol of harmony between Egypt, UNESCO, and the international community—a beacon of shared culture and knowledge.
Al-Ahram Daily: Which Egyptian sites do you believe are most deserving of inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List?
El-Anany: Egypt is a treasure in itself. Some sites are already on the tentative list and deserve further attention—like the Nilometer on Roda Island, Wadi El-Natrun’s monasteries, the coral archipelago of the Red Sea, industrial and architectural heritage in Cairo and Alexandria, and the historic city of Rosetta.
These sites reflect Egypt’s cultural, scientific, and natural diversity. What they need now is stronger documentation, updated management plans, and local community involvement. UNESCO stands ready to provide technical and institutional assistance so that these treasures can receive the recognition they deserve.
Al-Ahram Daily: Climate change poses new threats to both cultural and natural heritage. How do you plan to address this global challenge?
El-Anany: Climate change is perhaps the most formidable challenge of our time. It doesn’t only endanger the environment—it also threatens the memory of humanity. Rising sea levels, floods, and temperature extremes all affect archaeological sites and ecosystems.
My approach is based on three pillars. First, science and research: fostering joint studies among member states to map risks and identify the most vulnerable sites.
Second, action and innovation: launching a “Heritage for Climate” initiative to fund adaptation projects, create early-warning systems, and improve traditional building methods to resist climate impact.
Third, public engagement: involving youth and local communities in protection plans, because preserving heritage means preserving identity and future generations.
UNESCO must become the bridge between science and culture. Protecting heritage amid climate change is not a luxury—it is a shared human obligation.
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