Monday, 25 May 2026
Khaled Al-Enany. (AFP)
Egyptian, Congolese candidates compete for UNESCO director-general role
As UNESCO prepares to replace outgoing Director-General Audrey Azoulay after her two terms, two finalists are vying for the position: Egypt's Khaled Al-Enany and the Republic of Congo's Firmin Edouard Matoko. The executive board's recommendation is expected soon, with a final vote slated for November 6, 2025, at the general assembly in Uzbekistan.
Key contenders:
Khaled Al-Enany (Egypt, 54): Former Minister of Antiquities and Tourism (2016–2022), an Egyptologist who announced his bid in 2023. He's viewed as the frontrunner, praised as the "by far the best" candidate in April interviews by a European diplomat. Sources call his election a "done deal." Al-Enany has campaigned extensively, visiting 65 countries and meeting 400 stakeholders, with endorsements from the African Union (three times), the Arab League, and individual board members. His team anticipates no close contest.Firmin Edouard Matoko (Republic of Congo, 69): A veteran UNESCO diplomat since 1990, recently serving as its de facto foreign minister until March. He emphasizes his deep agency knowledge and decades of global postings (over 100 countries visited). Matoko downplays Al-Enany's travel, arguing experience trumps campaigning.
Campaign dynamics:
Congo has ramped up efforts, sending ministers—including President Denis Sassou Nguesso's son—to lobby in Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the Gulf. They claim support from sub-Saharan Africa's 13 executive board members (out of 58 total) and others, noting the secret ballot and the region's sole prior director-general (Senegal's Amadou-Mahtar Mbow, 1974–1987).Al-Enany, focusing on Paris-based outreach, pushes for Arabic-speaking leadership. Critics highlight geopolitical risks amid the Gaza conflict, suggesting Matoko's profile is "smoother" for such issues.
Both sides remain confident, with Matoko vowing to campaign until the end: "The race is not over." The board's non-binding endorsement has historically swayed the assembly's decision.