UNESCO nominates Egyptian as new director
UNESCO is set to have its first director from the Arab world, following the nomination of Khaled El-Anani, a former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, by the agency’s executive board.
If confirmed by UNESCO’s general assembly next month, El-Anani will inherit an agency reeling from the Trump administration’s recent decision to pull the US out, portending a budget shortfall at the agency best known for its World Heritage sites around the globe.
El-Anani was seen as the front-runner for the position of director-general and won a vote on Monday against his only challenger, Firmin Edouard Matoko, an economist from the Republic of Congo who promoted schooling in refugee camps.
The decision by the board, which represents 58 of the agency’s 194 member states, is expected to be finalized at a meeting of UNESCO’s general assembly in Uzbekistan next month.
In addition to choosing and protecting World Heritage sites and traditions, the Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization works to ensure education for girls, promotes Holocaust awareness, and funds scientific research in developing countries, among other activities. Outgoing UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay notably led a high-profile effort to rebuild the ancient Iraqi city of Mosul after it was devastated by terrorists.
El-Anani, 54, worked as a tour guide through ancient Egyptian sites, earned a doctorate in France, and became a renowned Egyptologist before serving in government.
He served as minister of antiquities from 2016 to 2019, then led the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for two years after the two portfolios were merged.
He is now a university professor, teaching Egyptology in a public university in Cairo.
Arab countries have long wanted to lead UNESCO. The African Union and Arab League are among those that expressed support for his bid.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi welcomed the news, calling the nomination a ‘’historic achievement that shall be added to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural record and to the achievements of the Arab and African peoples.”
During his tenure in government, El-Anani oversaw the start of mega-tourism projects, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, the Jewish Temple, and multiple ancient discoveries that helped revive the country’s battered tourism sector.