Background and Relevance of Khaled el Enany
Khaled el Enany, an Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (2016-2022), has been appointed as the next Director-General of UNESCO by its Executive Board on Monday. El Enany will succeed French diplomat Audrey Azoulay, pending ratification by UNESCO’s General Conference on November 6 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
El Enany’s Achievements and Controversies
During his tenure as Minister, El Enany was praised for revitalizing Egypt’s tourism and antiquities sector, which faced significant challenges due to terrorist attacks by ISIS in 2017 and 2018, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw the establishment of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which now houses ten royal mummies, including that of Ramses II.
However, El Enany’s name was associated with controversy in 2020 when large-scale urban development projects led to damage in Cairo’s historic necropolis, “City of the Dead,” a UNESCO World Heritage site. Critics argued that the relocation of informal settlers and excavation of archaeological remains caused significant harm.
Challenges Ahead
At 54, El Enany faces the task of leading an organization accused of politicization in recent months. Following Israel’s withdrawal in 2017, Nicaragua announced its departure this year over the awarding of a prize to an opposition newspaper. The United States, citing alleged anti-Israel bias and promotion of divisive social and cultural causes, is also leaving by the end of 2026. The US withdrawal deals a severe blow to UNESCO’s finances and reputation, as it contributes 8% of the organization’s total budget.
El Enany’s Vision for UNESCO
El Enany has pledged to work towards reinstating the United States, a goal achieved by outgoing Director-General Audrey Azoulay in 2023, six years after Donald Trump’s withdrawal. He aims to “depoliticize” UNESCO discussions, focusing on issues like education for children deprived of it and the importance of cultural heritage preservation in conflict zones such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Haiti.
To be effective, El Enany recognizes the need for financial resources. He intends to attract more voluntary contributions from governments and increase private sector involvement through partnerships with businesses and foundations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Khaled el Enany? An Egyptian archaeologist and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (2016-2022).
- What is his new role? Director-General of UNESCO, pending ratification by the General Conference.
- What challenges does he face? Leading an organization accused of politicization and working to regain the United States’ participation, which contributes significantly to UNESCO’s budget.
- What are his goals? To depoliticize UNESCO discussions, focus on education and cultural heritage preservation in conflict zones, and secure more financial resources for the organization.
