The vote, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, saw an unprecedented 172 votes in favour out of 175, marking a historic consensus by the UNESCO General Conference.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty extended his congratulations to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian people, and the peoples of the Arab and African nations on El-Anany’s well-deserved victory. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs marked the conclusion of Egypt’s nomination campaign for the post of UNESCO director-general after more than 30 months of diligent, intensive, and continuous efforts.

The ministry stated that this achievement adds yet another success to Egypt’s distinguished record on the international stage.

It described El-Anany’s historic election as a reflection of the esteemed stature and significant global influence of Egypt’s foreign policy at a critical moment for the region and the world.

The statement said the step also clearly signifies the high level of confidence El-Anany enjoys globally, as well as his competence and comprehensive vision for the organization’s work and future.

Egyptian Ambassador to France Alaa Youssef said El-Anany’s election by such a large majority reflects the international community’s confidence in Egyptian expertise and leadership to head one of the world’s foremost cultural and scientific organizations.

On 6 October, El-Anany was elected director-general of UNESCO, achieving a record victory in the organisation’s vote with 55 votes, compared to just two for his closest rival, Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of Congo, the widest winning margin in UNESCO’s history.

The announcement came during the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris.

El-Anany is the first Egyptian and Arab, and second African, ever elected to the organization’s top post.

Born in Giza in 1971, El-Anany is an Egyptologist and academic who served as Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities from 2019 to 2022.

He previously headed the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and was a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University.

A graduate of Helwan University’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, he earned his master’s degree in Egyptology in 1996 and a PhD from France’s University of Paul Valéry Montpellier III in 2001.

Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, El-Anany has led several major heritage projects, including preparations for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and multiple international cultural collaborations.

El-Anany, nominated by Egypt in 2023, campaigned on a platform of transparency, inclusivity, and dialogue, pledging to make UNESCO “a UNESCO for the people.”

In September, El-Anany received the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian distinction. 

French Ambassador Éric Chevallier praised his “remarkable career and constant commitment” to education, culture, scientific research, and intercultural dialogue.