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Egyptian scholar and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anany has been elected as the new Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), becoming the first Arab and second African to head the global cultural institution in its 80-year history.
Al-Anany’s election took place during a session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, where he secured 55 votes out of 58.
His only challenger, Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of the Congo, received two votes, while the United States abstained. His term will run until 2029, according to Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hailed the outcome as “a historic achievement added to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural record and to the accomplishments of Arab and African peoples.”
He emphasized that the victory reflects Egypt’s civilizational depth and expressed confidence that al-Anany will strengthen intercultural dialogue and safeguard global heritage.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who led the delegation in Paris, underlined the broader importance of the result, noting that it was the first time an Egyptian and Arab figure had been chosen to lead UNESCO since its founding in 1945.
He said al-Anany’s background embodies the richness of Egyptian civilization, encompassing Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Arab-Islamic, and modern layers.
Abdelatty added that the overwhelming support from member states shows deep trust in Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa.
Abdelatty also stressed that under al-Anany’s leadership, UNESCO would remain “a home for cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, peace, heritage protection, creativity, knowledge expansion, and youth and women’s empowerment.”
Al-Anany’s election makes him UNESCO’s 12th director-general, following France’s Audrey Azoulay, who held the position from 2017 to 2025.
His appointment represents not only a personal milestone but also a symbolic step forward for Arab and African representation within the United Nations system.
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