Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism Khaled El Anany has been elected Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for a four-year term, serving from 2025 to 2029, succeeding France’s Audrey Azoulay.
El Anany won the vote by a wide margin, securing 55 votes to 2 against Édouard Firmin Matoko, 69, from the Republic of Congo. The United States abstained from voting.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi hailed El Anany’s election as a reflection of Egypt’s enduring cultural influence and global standing. He said the victory embodies Egypt’s civilizational stature and the world’s confidence in Egyptian talent that combines knowledge, experience, and dedication, expressing confidence in El Anany’s ability to strengthen cultural dialogue and safeguard human heritage.
El Anany becomes the first Arab and only the second African to head UNESCO since its establishment in 1945, following Senegal’s Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow, who led the organisation from 1974 to 1987.
The Executive Board’s decision will now be submitted for approval by UNESCO’s 194 member states at the organisation’s General Conference in November. El Anany prevailed after Mexico’s Gabriela Ramos withdrew from the race, leaving only Matoko—currently UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for External Relations—in contention. Azoulay, who served two consecutive terms, held the post for eight years.
Founded in 1945, UNESCO plays a global role in advancing education, science, culture, and communication, supporting initiatives ranging from biodiversity protection and heritage preservation to ensuring access to reliable information and addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence.
The election process requires candidates to gain the backing of at least 57 member states of UNESCO’s Executive Board before the final vote at the General Conference, scheduled next month in Uzbekistan.
El Anany presented his vision under the theme “UNESCO for the People”, pledging to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to address global challenges and to promote peace and understanding among nations through partnership and cooperation with all member states, according to a statement by Egypt’s Cabinet.
During his 30-month election campaign, El Anany visited more than 60 countries, where he met with a large number of ministers, officials, and intellectuals worldwide to share his vision for the future of UNESCO.
