By Nanees Afify – October 7, 2025
In what Egypt’s Foreign Ministry described as a “historic decision,” the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has elected former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Khaled El-Anany as the organization’s next Director-General.
El-Anany secured 55 votes out of 57, while his Congolese rival Edouard Firmin Matoko received only two. The United States abstained from the vote. According to the ministry, this represents the highest number of votes ever secured by a candidate in a competitive UNESCO election since the organization’s founding in 1945.
With this result, El-Anany is poised to become the first Arab and only the second African to lead UNESCO, in what the Foreign Ministry called a reflection of Egypt’s “international standing and historic role in safeguarding world heritage.” The vote was held on Monday, October 6, coinciding with the anniversary of Egypt’s October War victory, giving the outcome additional symbolic weight.
A 30-Month Campaign
The ministry noted that the result was the culmination of a 30-month campaign, directed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and led by the Foreign Ministry. The campaign included visits to more than 65 countries, securing endorsements from both the African Union and the Arab League, in addition to broad support from UNESCO Executive Board members.
Diplomatic Backing
Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, congratulated the President and the Egyptian people, stressing that El-Anany’s election “celebrates the cultural and intellectual contributions of Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa throughout millennia.” He praised the countries that backed the Egyptian bid, describing the result as a vote of confidence in both Egyptian diplomacy and El-Anany’s qualifications.
Profile and Achievements
El-Anany, a professor of archaeology at Ain Shams University, served as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities between 2019 and 2022. He oversaw several landmark projects, including the internationally acclaimed Royal Mummies Parade and the inauguration of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The Foreign Ministry highlighted his broad vision for UNESCO’s mission, along with his academic and diplomatic credentials, as key factors behind the sweeping support he received.
Despite the landslide victory, El-Anany’s appointment will not be official until it is ratified by UNESCO’s General Conference in November. The ratification is expected to be a formality, but once confirmed, it will make him the first Arab to head the world’s leading UN cultural and scientific body.
