Egypt's Khaled El-Enany Appointed First Arab UNESCO Director-General Amid US Withdrawal

Khaled El-Enany, Egypt's former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been appointed as the new Director-General of UNESCO, marking the first time an Arab and only the second African has led the organization since its founding in 1945. He was elected by UNESCO's Executive Board with 55 out of 57 votes and is set to officially assume office on November 14, succeeding France's Audrey Azoulay. El-Enany's appointment comes at a challenging time for UNESCO, as the U.S. has announced a second withdrawal, which will result in the loss of about 8% of the organization's funding by the end of 2026. Despite some criticism at home regarding heritage site conservation, El-Enany aims to strengthen UNESCO's cultural preservation initiatives and international partnerships amid financial uncertainties. His background as an Egyptologist and former head of major Egyptian museums underscores his expertise in cultural heritage and education. The appointment requires ratification by UNESCO members in the upcoming general assembly, reflecting broad regional and international support for his leadership.