The new head of the UN agency for Science, Culture and Education vows for more inclusion and collaboration in a divided world.

By Megan Ly – 11th grade.

On November 6, 2025, Khaled El-Enany was elected as the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and will lead the agency for the next four years. UNESCO is well known for having World Heritage Sites all over the world such as the Taj Mahal in India. The organization also funds and supports many science programs globally such as the Man and Biosphere program (MAB) which focuses on sustainable developments. 

Former Egyptian minister, El-Enany won an overwhelming 172 out of 174 ballots becoming the first Arab to hold the position of Director-General since the organization’s establishment in 1945. The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, congratulated El-Enany saying, “a historic achievement that shall be added to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural record and to the achievements of the Arab and African peoples”. He will succeed Audrey Azoulay who has held this position since 2017. 

Born in 1971, El-Enany is an Egyptologist who has taught Egyptology for over 30 years at Helwan University in Egypt. He earned his PhD in Egyptology from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University in France and continues to make visits as a Professor. Not only has he served as the Director of the Open Learning Center, Head of the Tour Guide Department, and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, he also served as the Minister of Antiquities from 2016 to 2022. Following that, he was the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt. 

Audrey Azoulay, former Director-General of Unesco, was particularly involved in the rebuilding of the Iraqi city of Mosul after damage had been done due to fighting between the ISIL armed group and combined US and Iraqi forces. In order to protect historic sites and creative liberty, Azoulay passed a “creation and heritage” law and secured a budget increase from the ministry. 

During the 43rd General Conference UNESCO held, El-Enany spoke about his plans in the new position he holds. Amidst dividing global thoughts, he acknowledged the massive amount of responsibility entrusted to him and wants to carry out plans of cultivating inclusion, establishing long lasting peace while reinforcing global collaboration. In his speech El- Enany said “I find myself today driven by an unwavering determination: to make UNESCO a place for building lasting peace in a world plagued by inequality and division”.