UNESCO nominates Egyptian as its new director following US withdrawal | World News - The Indian Express skip to contentAdvertisementUNESCO is slated to have its first director from the Arab world after an Egyptian former tourism and antiquities minister, Khaled el-Anani, was nominated by the agency’s executive board Monday. If confirmed by UNESCO’s general assembly next month, el-Anani will inherit an agency reeling from the Trump administration’s recent decision to pull the United States […]By: AP October 7, 2025 12:15 AM IST First published on: Oct 7, 2025 at 12:15 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookThe UNESCO logo hangs from a podium in Paris. (AP)UNESCO is slated to have its first director from the Arab world after an Egyptian former tourism and antiquities minister, Khaled el-Anani, was nominated by the agency’s executive board Monday.If confirmed by UNESCO’s general assembly next month, el-Anani will inherit an agency reeling from the Trump administration’s recent decision to pull the United States out, portending a budget shortfall at the agency best known for its World Heritage sites around the globe.AdvertisementEl-Anani was seen as the front-runner for the position of director-general and won a vote Monday against his only challenger, Firmin Edouard Matoko, an economist from Republic of Congo who promoted schooling in refugee camps.The decision by the board, which represents 58 of the agency’s 194 member states, is expected to be finalized at a meeting of UNESCO’s general assembly in Uzbekistan next month.Noble ambitions and persistent problemsIn addition to choosing and protecting World Heritage sites and traditions, the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization works to ensure education for girls, promotes Holocaust awareness and funds scientific research in developing countries, among other activities.Outgoing UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay notably led a high-profile effort to rebuild the ancient Iraqi city of Mosul after it was devastated under the Islamic State group.UNESCO has also long been plagued by accusations of mismanagement and waste. Trump argues that the agency, which voted in 2011 to admit Palestine as a member, is too politicized and anti-Israel. U.S. supporters of UNESCO, meanwhile, say withdrawing Washington’s support allows China to play an outsized role in the world body.Meanwhile, the vote comes at a time when the whole 80-year-old UN system is facing financial challenges and deepening divisions over the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.Nominee will be UNESCO’s first Arab leaderEl-Anani, 54, worked as a tour guide through ancient Egyptian sites, earned a doctorate in France and became a famed Egyptologist prior to serving in government. He served as minister of antiquities from 2016 to 2019, then led the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for two years after the two portfolios were merged. He is now a university professor, teaching Egyptology in a public university in Cairo.Arab countries have long wanted to lead UNESCO. The African Union and Arab League are among those that expressed support for his bid.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi welcomed the news, calling the nomination a ‘’historic achievement that shall be added to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural record and to the achievements of the Arab and African peoples.”During his tenure in government, el-Anani oversaw the start of mega-tourism projects including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, the Jewish Temple and multiple ancient discoveries that helped revive the country’s battered tourism sector.El-Anani is expected to focus on UNESCO’s cultural programs, and has pledged to continue UNESCO’s work to fight antisemitism and religious intolerance. Israel left UNESCO in 2018.While he has no UN experience, his backers say that could help him make tough reform decisions. He has also said he would try to bring the US back into the UNESCO fold.Most Read1Gaza Peace Plan Live Updates: Israel deports Greta Thunberg and 170 Gaza flotilla activists to Greece, Slovakia2As China opens world’s tallest bridge, here are the top 10 tallest bridges in the world3‘Dragged by hair, kept in infested cell’: Greta Thunberg accuses Israel of harsh treatment in detention4‘Why you’re so f***ing negative, this is a win’: Trump tells Netanyahu on Gaza peace plan5US woman pleads ‘how much can I give you to stop?’ during NYC apartment rape, suspect arrested6‘We are shocked’: Another Indian-origin motel manager killed in US, kin in Surat recount his last visit to IndiaChallenger is a UNESCO insider Firmin Matoko, 69, spent most of his career working for UNESCO, including stints in Rwanda soon after the genocide, during peace negotiations in El Salvador and beyond.He said he wants UNESCO to focus on technical solutions.He described helping train teachers at a refugee camp in Somalia in the 1990s, and meeting one of them years later after she became education minister.Both candidates pledged to tap more private sector money to make up for the loss of US and other funding, continuing efforts started under Azoulay.AdvertisementTop story1Gaza Peace Plan Live Updates: Israel deports Greta Thunberg and 170 Gaza flotilla activists to Greece, Slovakia2As China opens world’s tallest bridge, here are the top 10 tallest bridges in the world3‘Dragged by hair, kept in infested cell’: Greta Thunberg accuses Israel of harsh treatment in detention4‘Why you’re so f***ing negative, this is a win’: Trump tells Netanyahu on Gaza peace plan5US woman pleads ‘how much can I give you to stop?’ during NYC apartment rape, suspect arrestedAdvertisementLoading Taboola...SubscribeSign InJournalism of CourageTop CategoriesLATEST STORIESWomen’s World Cup: Nonkululeko Mlaba triggers New Zealand collapse as South Africa bounce back with morale-boosting winCollusion, gatekeeping in AI: CCI calls for industry self-regulation, self-auditsItaly bans pro-Palestinian October 7 demonstration in Bologna as tensions risePrivate school in Ahmedabad served show cause notice as DEO team detects 13 ‘irregularities’ during surprise checkWorld Junior Championships 2025: India’s Gen Z shuttlers off to winning start against Nepal in GuwahatiJudge denies trump administration’s request to delay Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case over government shutdownMaharashtra FDA directive against sale, use & distribution of cough syrup‘What’s the big deal in Hikaru Nakamura throwing Gukesh’s king?’ American Gambits co-owner PrachuraDenied medical insurance claim over ‘alcohol use’, consumer panel orders insurance firm to pay Rs 4-lakh relief to Chandigarh residentTazmin Brits edges past Smriti Mandhana, becomes first ever player to score five centuries in a calendar year in women’s ODIsDilip Khedkar seeks anticipatory bail after road rage, kidnap caseBrazil’s Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs and sanctionsTo be inaugurated by PM tomorrow: Navi Mumbai airport built to withstand most extreme weather events, say officialsTraders association in Surat blacklists 70 from UP, Bihar, West Bengal for defaulting on payment worth Rs 9 crore‘Bouncing bat law’: MCC issues statement on Muneeba Ali’s run out in Women’s World Cup match against India‘Geopolitical balancing shouldn’t take India too far away from West’