"UNESCO's executive board has nominated an Egyptian university professor and former tourism and antiquities minister, Khaled el-Anani, to be the agency's next director. If confirmed by the UN cultural agency's general assembly next month in Uzbekistan, el-Anani will become the first UNESCO director-general from the Arab world. As UNESCO has never never gone against a recommendation by its executive board, his appointment seems almost certain."
"El-Anani, a 54-year-old trained Egyptologist, achieved significant recognition in the field before serving as Egypt's minister of antiquities from 2016 to 2019. After the two positions were merged, he served as minister of tourism and antiquities for two more years. As minister, he oversaw prestigious projects such as the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, the Jewish Temple and multiple ancient discoveries."
"Financial problems loom for UNESCO El-Anani's nomination comes as UNESCO faces likely budget shortfalls following the decision by the US President Donald Trump administration to leave the agency, citing an alleged anti-Israel bias and accusing the body of promoting "divisive" causes. The US currently contributes 8% of UNESCO's overall funding. El-Anani has said he would seek to regain the US as a member."
Khaled el-Anani has been nominated by UNESCO's executive board to become director-general and, if confirmed by the general assembly in Uzbekistan, would be the first director-general from the Arab world. The executive board recommendation makes his appointment highly likely. He defeated challenger Firmin Edouard Matoko and will succeed Audrey Azoulay. El-Anani is a 54-year-old Egyptologist who served as Egypt's minister of antiquities (2016–2019) and then as minister of tourism and antiquities for two years. He oversaw projects including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and multiple ancient discoveries and currently teaches Egyptology in Cairo. His bid drew support from the African Union, the Arab League, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He pledged to continue efforts against antisemitism and religious intolerance. UNESCO faces budget shortfalls after the United States left, having provided about 8% of funding, and el-Anani said he would seek to regain US membership.
Read at www.dw.com
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