Monday, 25 May 2026
A vision of unity: Khaled El-Enany’s hopeful path to leading UNESCO
When Dr. Khaled el-Enany was nominated as UNESCO’s next Director-General, it marked not only a significant personal milestone, but a historic shift for the organization itself. With a resounding 55 votes from UNESCO’s Executive Board —dwarfing his nearest competitor’s tally — El-Enany’s nomination is the most decisive victory the organization has ever seen.
Should the General Conference in Samarkand affirm this decision on November 6, he will become the first Egyptian and Arab, and only the second African, to helm the global institution since its founding in 1945.
Yet for El-Enany, this sweeping endorsement is far more than a personal success. Speaking with gratitude and resolute humility, he credited his home country, the wider Arab world, and the African continent for believing in him.
“This is a moment of deep gratitude,” he said, acknowledging the trust invested in him and the steady support of Egyptian authorities, the League of Arab States, and the African Union.
But perhaps most significant, El-Enany sees his nomination as evidence of a world drawing closer together. In his words, “It reflects the evolution of a new multilateralism where every region has a voice.”
El-Enany’s journey is one of cultural immersion and passionate curiosity. Growing up in an environment shaped by his mother, a French language teacher, and neighbors engaged in the arts, he developed an early and abiding fascination with history and heritage. He later immersed himself in tour guiding and Egyptology, motivated by a desire to “understand our history and share it with others.”
His tenure as Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, overseeing the nation’s wonders and engaging directly with UNESCO’s legacy — like the rescue of Abu Simbel’s temples—taught him the power of global cooperation for the greater good. “It is incredible what international partnership can accomplish,” he told The Egyptian Gazette, recalling those moments of unity that transcended borders and politics.
If elected, El-Enany pledges to reaffirm UNESCO’s founding promise: to unite humanity through education, science, and culture. He envisions UNESCO as a kaleidoscope of perspectives, where every nation’s story and every community’s wisdom are valued threads in a tapestry of peace.
“History teaches us - humility, above all - and that no culture stands alone. Every civilization contributes, every people has something to learn and something to teach,” he said. That spirit of learning and dialogue would infuse his leadership, turning UNESCO into a gathering place where differences are celebrated and common ground is eagerly sought.
For El-Enany, UNESCO’s true strength lies in breaking down boundaries between disciplines and sectors: “Culture, science, education, and freedom of expression - they belong together,” he explained. He aims to foster deeper coordination, share new data, and champion a culture of open dialogue - bridging divides and responding more nimbly to global challenges.
One of El-Enany’s heartfelt ambitions is to bring UNESCO closer to everyday people. While UNESCO’s rich portfolio of heritage sites is widely celebrated, its quiet work in advancing education, science, and communication often goes unsung. “It’s not about doing less for culture, but helping the world see the full impact of UNESCO’s mission,” he clarified.
Effective communication, he believes, is key to humanizing UNESCO’s purpose and showing families and communities how the organization tangibly improves lives—whether through education reform, environmental stewardship, or sharing vital knowledge.
Heritage preservation remains deeply personal to El-Enany, as both a scholar and advocate. He calls for a strategic shift from reactive interventions to proactive, technology-driven prevention—utilizing AI, satellite monitoring, and early warning systems to keep fragile sites and traditions safe.
But, he insists, the heart of preservation is empowering local communities, who are “the very first guardians of their heritage.” Through partnerships with museums, universities, and innovative technology, he hopes to curb looting, repair damaged treasures, and, above all, foster pride and resilience.
“Every stone preserved, every archive protected, is a step toward peace,” he said. For El-Enany, safeguarding heritage is safeguarding the human spirit.
At the beating heart of UNESCO, education remains the key to hope. El-Enany wants future learning to be equitable, digitally savvy, and accessible in every language. He is passionate about strengthening digital education tools, investing in teachers, and making resources truly multilingual.
He pointed to initiatives like Open Digital Schools and UNESCO’s Beijing Consensus - ensuring that technology supports teachers, not sidelines them—and highlighted his commitment to linguistic diversity, particularly in supporting endangered languages and minority communities. “Linguistic diversity isn’t just a value,” he said, “it’s the basis of inclusion and innovation.”
From the ruins of World War II to today’s rapidly changing world, UNESCO’s mission - to shape peace through education, science, and culture - has never been more urgent. El-Enany is determined to keep the organization above the fray of global politics, focusing on concrete, technical, and intellectual contributions. He envisions a more decentralized UNESCO, where its presence is felt in every country, and where every nation, large or small, developed or developing, finds a voice and a stake.
“My hope is for UNESCO to be a home where every nation, every culture, every person belongs,” he shared - his words a gentle, inclusive call to bridge divides and nurture hope.
As UNESCO’s General Conference prepares to vote, the winds of change seem to be blowing in El-Enany’s favor. But his candidacy signals something far greater: a new era for UNESCO, one defined by dialogue, shared humanity, and the promise that every culture, every language, and every dream can help light the way forward—for all.