Monday, 25 May 2026
Khaled El-Anany
Mexican candidate withdraws, boosting Egypt’s El-Anany in UNESCO leadership race
Paris - The race to lead the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has entered a new phase following the withdrawal of Mexican candidate Gabriela Ramos. Ramos, who previously served as UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, has formally stepped out of contention, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Her withdrawal leaves two main candidates in the running to succeed outgoing Director-General Audrey Azoulay of France: Egypt’s Khaled El-Anany, former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and Firmin Edouard Matoko of the Republic of Congo, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations.
El-Anany is now considered the frontrunner, enjoying significant international support, including endorsements from Russia, the African Union, the Arab League, many European and Asian nations, as well as several African countries such as Gabon, Eritrea, and Somalia. France and Spain have also publicly backed El-Anany, with French Ambassador to Egypt Éric Chevallier emphasizing his country's strong support.
The decisive vote by the 58-member UNESCO Executive Board is scheduled to take place in early October 2025. The chosen nominee will then be presented to the UNESCO General Conference—which includes 194 member states—for a final decision expected in November 2025.
El-Anany’s candidacy is being coordinated by Egypt’s foreign ministry, which has been actively organizing diplomatic outreach in support of his campaign. His growing coalition of supporters reflects a broad base of international confidence in his leadership for the future of UNESCO.