Former Egyptian tourism and antiquities minister Khaled El-Enany was elected as UNESCO’s new director on Monday. El-Enany, 54, secured 55 of 58 votes in a secret ballot against Édouard Firmin Matoko of the Republic of Congo, who won two votes.
The United States abstained from voting, marking its second withdrawal from the cultural agency amid criticisms of its perceived ideological stances. His selection now awaits final approval from UNESCO’s 194 member states on November 6, formalising a four-year term beginning next year.
El-Enany launched his campaign in April 2023, gradually building strong regional support and forging international alliances for his candidacy. Outgoing chief Audrey Azoulay diversified funding streams, yet Washington still contributes roughly 8% of UNESCO’s budget, set to vanish by 2026.
The White House under Trump accused the agency of promoting “woke, divisive cultural and social causes,” echoing an earlier withdrawal during his first term. Founded after World War Two, UNESCO promotes peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture while protecting global heritage sites.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty celebrated El-Enany’s election, highlighting Egypt’s rich, layered civilisation as deserving leadership of the historic organisation. Critics in Egypt warn El-Enany’s tenure faced scrutiny over heritage conservation failures, particularly in Cairo and the Sinai Peninsula. Azoulay, a French national, has completed the maximum two four-year terms, leaving the agency at a critical juncture amid geopolitical and financial pressures.