File Photo: Khaled El-Enany, Egyptologist and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, and candidate to become the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). AFP
The 58-member board, which holds the power to recommend one candidate to the General Conference, will cast its ballots to choose its director following a high-intensity diplomatic campaign.
Egypt's former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, El-Enany, is widely viewed as the favourite, bolstered by the backing of the African Union, the Arab League, and several European states, most notably France, the country that hosts UNESCO's headquarters. El-Enany's Congolese rival, Matoko, a long-standing UNESCO official, remains a formidable contender.
In August 2025, Mexico's candidate for Director-General, Gabriela Ramos, withdrew from the race for the top job.
The withdrawal was described as a decision to promote unity and strengthen the organisation after negotiations with Egypt gave powerful impetus to El-Enany's candidacy.
Born in Giza on 14 March 1971, Khaled El-Enany is an Egyptologist, academic, and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (2019–2022).
A graduate of Helwan University's Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, he earned his Master's degree in Egyptology in 1996. Subsequently, he completed a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Paul Valery Montpellier III, France, in 2001.
El-Enany previously served as a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University and notably as Director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Egyptian antiquities.
Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, El-Enany played a key role in major museum and excavation projects, including preparations for the Grand Egyptian Museum and numerous international heritage collaborations.
Nominated for the post by Egypt in 2023, El-Enany emphasised that his campaign for the top UNESCO post is founded on transparency, inclusivity, and active listening.
In addition, he pledged that his mission would focus on dialogue and engagement, aiming to foster trust and, above all, to realise the vision of "A UNESCO for the People."
In September, El-Enany was awarded the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, France's highest civilian distinction, with French ambassador Éric Chevallier praising his "remarkable career and constant commitment" to education, culture, scientific research, and intercultural dialogue.
Egypt, which launched a diplomatic campaign to support El-Enany, has framed its candidacy as a reflection of the country's civilisational depth and cultural leadership.
A third time charm
This is the third time in the 21st century that Egypt officially presented a candidate to run for the UNESCO director-general seat.
Egyptian officials say this campaign is more coordinated than Egypt's last UNESCO bid in 2017, when former minister Moushira Khattab narrowly lost to France's Audrey Azoulay, the outgoing director-general.
Khattab already had a tough race with Arab and African countries divided over her candidacy.
In 2009, the Egyptian government announced the nomination of then-Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni as a candidate for the position of Director-General of UNESCO.
In the final vote, held in October 2009, he lost to Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, who became the first woman and first Eastern European to head UNESCO.
During his candidacy, Hosni faced a campaign reportedly by Western officials, who accused him of antisemitism due to previous statements concerning Israeli authors.
Unlike Hosni and Khattab, El-Enany seems to have better chances.
Following the announcement of his candidacy in April 2023, the African Union (AU) expressed its support in February 2024. The Arab Summit in Manama issued a similar decision in May 2024.
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