Khaled Al Enany Elected New UNESCO Chief Amid Challenges
He will take be first representative of Arab state, second from Africa to lead UN body
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan: Unesco on Thursday elected Egyptian Khaled Al Enany as its new chief, with the ex-minister tasked with steering the UN cultural agency through the political and financial consequences of US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the organisation.
Enany, 54, an Egyptologist who served as Egypt’s culture and antiquities minister from 2016 until 2022 , was overwhelmingly chosen by member states to take over from France’s Audrey Azoulay as director general at the Unesco general conference in the Uzbek city of Samarkand.
He will take office on November 15 becoming the first representative of an Arab state and second from Africa to lead the organisation, which oversees the coveted world heritage list.
But Enany faces an immediate challenge after Trump’s move, effective in December 2026, to pull the United States out of Unesco, on the alleged grounds that it is biased against Israel and promotes “divisive” causes.
Trump had already ordered a withdrawal in 2017 during his first term. President Joe Biden reestablished US membership.
Israel also walked out of the body in 2017 and in May, Nicaragua left after Unesco presented a press freedom award to an opposition newspaper.
The US pullout harms Unesco’s prestige and depletes its finances as it accouts for eight percent of the total budget. European countries are unwilling to stump up more funds at a time of increased pressure for defence spending.
After his election, Enany said he wanted a “strong and united Unesco, a non-politicised organisation that chooses consensus over divisions” and also vowed to make the budget “a priority”.
Seeking to emphasise that its remit covers more than heritage, Unesco is looking to advance in areas ranging from expanding access to education to embracing the healthy use of artificial intelligence.
Making up the funding gap could see greater use of the private sector, whose contributions represented only eight percent of the budget in 2024.
While praised by insiders as a hugely experienced professional capable of forging consensus, there has been controversy over the damage to Cairo’s historic City of the Dead necropolis during urban development in 2020 while Enany was minister.
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Khaled Al Enany’s election comes at a pivotal moment for UNESCO, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly regarding its funding and political legitimacy. The agency has been criticized for its perceived biases, especially in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has led to withdrawals from member states. The departure of the United States in 2017, followed by Israel and Nicaragua, has raised concerns about the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission of promoting peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture.
Enany’s background as an Egyptologist and his previous role as Egypt’s culture and antiquities minister provide him with a unique perspective on the importance of cultural heritage. His experience may prove beneficial as UNESCO seeks to navigate the complexities of global politics while advocating for cultural preservation and education. The agency’s focus on expanding access to education and addressing contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence reflects a broader commitment to adapt to the changing global landscape.
As Enany prepares to assume leadership, he will need to engage with member states to rebuild trust and foster collaboration. This will involve addressing the financial shortfalls exacerbated by the loss of major contributors like the United States. By seeking to increase private sector involvement and promoting a vision of a united UNESCO, Enany aims to enhance the agency’s relevance and effectiveness in a world where cultural and educational initiatives are increasingly vital for fostering understanding and cooperation among nations.
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