The United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has selected former Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Khaled El-Enany as its new Director General.
The 54 year old El-Enany beat Édouard Firmin Matoko, who is from the Republic of Congo, by 55 votes to 2.
The United States which is set to again exit the UN Agency under the second Trump presidency did not cast a vote.
MUST READ: Processes underway in Taraba to make Gashaka Gumti Park UNESCO World Heritage Site
El-Elnany’s selection will now be put forward for final approval in November to the same 58 member Board, which represents the 194 UNESCO member- countries.
The incoming UNESCO head will also be faced with funding cuts occasioned by the US exit as experienced by the outgoing Chief, Audrey Azoulay.
Once the U.S. withdrawal takes effect at the end of 2026, the 8% funding will be cut due to what the Trump administration calls UNESCO’s support for “woke, divisive cultural and social causes”.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
