Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been elected as the next Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This historic appointment marks the first time an Arab has led the global organisation since its creation in 1945. El-Anany takes over from Audrey Azoulay, France’s representative, who served for two terms (2017-2025). The Egyptian official triumphed in the election, winning by a landslide with 55 out of 58 votes. His main rival, Firmin Edouard Matoko from the Congo, was defeated, and the United States abstained from voting during the Executive Board session held in Paris.&nbsp;His candidacy enjoyed widespread support, especially from the Arab League and the African Union, as well as other international stakeholders. El-Anany’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for Arab representation in global institutions. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sissi praised the appointment, emphasizing that it reflects Egypt’s cultural influence and the global community’s faith in the country’s talents and expertise. El Sissi expressed confidence in El-Anany’s ability to foster international cooperation and preserve humanity’s cultural heritage.&nbsp;The decision by the executive board will be presented for final approval at UNESCO’s General Conference, scheduled for November, where all 194 member states will weigh in. El-Anany’s main competitor, Gabriela Ramos from Mexico, withdrew from the race, leaving El-Anany and Matoko as the final contenders. Founded in 1945, UNESCO plays a pivotal role in promoting education, science, culture, and communication worldwide. Its work spans from biodiversity conservation to the preservation of cultural heritage and addressing emerging challenges like artificial intelligence.&nbsp;During his election campaign, which lasted over 30 months, El Anany visited more than 60 countries, engaging with ministers, officials, and scholars to promote his vision for UNESCO’s future. His campaign was centered on the theme “UNESCO for the People,” and he committed to enhancing the organization’s ability to tackle global issues and foster peace through collaboration between member states.<h2>Who is Khaled El Anany?</h2>Khaled El Anany, born on March 14, 1971, in Giza, Egypt, hails from a family steeped in cultural and academic traditions. He attended a French school in Cairo and later pursued his higher education at Helwan University, where he majored in Tourism Guidance. His passion for Egyptology blossomed early, and he later obtained a master’s degree in Egyptian Antiquities of Nubia.&nbsp;El Anany went on to earn a PhD in Egyptology from Paul Valery University in Montpellier, France, in 2001. Upon returning to Egypt, he became a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, where he also taught the ancient Egyptian language at various esteemed institutions, including in France, Italy, and Germany.&nbsp;&nbsp;He holds membership in several prominent scientific bodies, such as the German Archaeological Institute and the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology in Cairo. In 2014, he was appointed Director of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, overseeing the preparation for the historic Royal Mummies Parade in 2021, a globally celebrated event. El Anany then transitioned into politics, becoming Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities in 2016. His role expanded in 2019 to include the Ministry of Tourism, a post he held until 2022.

Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany elected as first Arab to lead UNESCO as Director-General. Who is he?

Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been elected as the next Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This historic appointment marks the first time an Arab has led the global organisation since its creation in 1945. El-Anany takes over from Audrey Azoulay, France’s representative, who served for two terms (2017-2025). The Egyptian official triumphed in the election, winning by a landslide with 55 out of 58 votes. His main rival, Firmin Edouard Matoko from the Congo, was defeated, and the United States abstained from voting during the Executive Board session held in Paris. His candidacy enjoyed widespread support, especially from the Arab League and the African Union, as well as other international stakeholders. El-Anany’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for Arab representation in global institutions. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sissi praised the appointment, emphasizing that it reflects Egypt’s cultural influence and the global community’s faith in the country’s talents and expertise. El Sissi expressed confidence in El-Anany’s ability to foster international cooperation and preserve humanity’s cultural heritage. The decision by the executive board will be presented for final approval at UNESCO’s General Conference, scheduled for November, where all 194 member states will weigh in. El-Anany’s main competitor, Gabriela Ramos from Mexico, withdrew from the race, leaving El-Anany and Matoko as the final contenders. Founded in 1945, UNESCO plays a pivotal role in promoting education, science, culture, and communication worldwide. Its work spans from biodiversity conservation to the preservation of cultural heritage and addressing emerging challenges like artificial intelligence. During his election campaign, which lasted over 30 months, El Anany visited more than 60 countries, engaging with ministers, officials, and scholars to promote his vision for UNESCO’s future. His campaign was centered on the theme “UNESCO for the People,” and he committed to enhancing the organization’s ability to tackle global issues and foster peace through collaboration between member states. Who is Khaled El Anany? Khaled El Anany, born on March 14, 1971, in Giza, Egypt, hails from a family steeped in cultural and academic traditions. He attended a French school in Cairo and later pursued his higher education at Helwan University, where he majored in Tourism Guidance. His passion for Egyptology blossomed early, and he later obtained a master’s degree in Egyptian Antiquities of Nubia. El Anany went on to earn a PhD in Egyptology from Paul Valery University in Montpellier, France, in 2001. Upon returning to Egypt, he became a professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, where he also taught the ancient Egyptian language at various esteemed institutions, including in France, Italy, and Germany. He holds membership in several prominent scientific bodies, such as the German Archaeological Institute and the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology in Cairo. In 2014, he was appointed Director of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, overseeing the preparation for the historic Royal Mummies Parade in 2021, a globally celebrated event. El Anany then transitioned into politics, becoming Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities in 2016. His role expanded in 2019 to include the Ministry of Tourism, a post he held until 2022.

Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s former minister of tourism and antiquities, is the first Arab to be appointed Director-General of UNESCO, winning 55 out of 58 votes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypts-former-president-mohamed-mursi-dies-report-228094">Egypt</a> has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said.

Christie's auction house sold the 28.5-centimetre&nbsp;relic for $5,970,000 to an unknown buyer in early July at one of its most controversial auctions in years.

But less than a week after the sale, Egypt's National Committee for Antiquities Repatriation (NCAR) said after an urgent meeting that national prosecutors had asked Interpol "to issue a circular to trace" such artifacts over alleged missing paperwork.

"The committee expresses its deep discontent of the unprofessional behavior of the sale of Egyptian antiquities without providing the ownership documents and the evidence that proves its legal export from Egypt," the NCAR said in a statement.

The committee headed by Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and attended by his predecessor Zahi Hawass as well as officials from various ministries also called upon Britain to "prohibit the export of the sold artifacts" until the Egyptian authorities were shown the documents.

It suggested the issue could have an impact on cultural relations, by referencing "the ongoing cooperation between both countries in the field of archaeology, especially that there are 18 British archaeological missions are working in Egypt".

The NCAR added it had hired a British law firm to file a "civil lawsuit" although no further details were given.&nbsp;

'Stolen from Karnak'&nbsp;

The London sale of the head of "Boy King" Tutankhamun angered Egyptian officials at the time and sparked a protest outside Christie's by about a dozen people who held up signs reading "stop trading in smuggled antiquities".

Hawass told AFP that the piece appeared to have been "stolen" in the 1970s from the Karnak Temple complex just north of Luxor and the Egyptian foreign ministry asked the UK Foreign Office and the UN cultural body UNESCO to step in and halt the sale.

But such interventions are rare and made only when there is clear evidence of the item's legitimate acquisition by the seller being in dispute.

Christie's argued that Egypt had never before expressed the same level of concern about an item whose existence has been "well known and exhibited publicly" for many years.

"The object is not, and has not been, the subject of an investigation," Christie's said in a statement to AFP.

The auction house has published a chronology of how the relic changed hands between European art dealers over the past 50 years and told AFP that it would "not sell any work where there isn't the clear title of ownership".

Egypt has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said.

Egypt has asked international police agency Interpol to track down a 3,000-year-old Tutankhamun artifact that was sold in London for $6 million despite fierce opposition from Cairo, government officials said. Christie's auction house sold the 28.5-centimetre relic for $5,970,000 to an unknown buyer in early July at one of its most controversial auctions in years. But less than a week after the sale, Egypt's National Committee for Antiquities Repatriation (NCAR) said after an urgent meeting that national prosecutors had asked Interpol "to issue a circular to trace" such artifacts over alleged missing paperwork. "The committee expresses its deep discontent of the unprofessional behavior of the sale of Egyptian antiquities without providing the ownership documents and the evidence that proves its legal export from Egypt," the NCAR said in a statement. The committee headed by Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and attended by his predecessor Zahi Hawass as well as officials from various ministries also called upon Britain to "prohibit the export of the sold artifacts" until the Egyptian authorities were shown the documents. It suggested the issue could have an impact on cultural relations, by referencing "the ongoing cooperation between both countries in the field of archaeology, especially that there are 18 British archaeological missions are working in Egypt". The NCAR added it had hired a British law firm to file a "civil lawsuit" although no further details were given. 'Stolen from Karnak' The London sale of the head of "Boy King" Tutankhamun angered Egyptian officials at the time and sparked a protest outside Christie's by about a dozen people who held up signs reading "stop trading in smuggled antiquities". Hawass told AFP that the piece appeared to have been "stolen" in the 1970s from the Karnak Temple complex just north of Luxor and the Egyptian foreign ministry asked the UK Foreign Office and the UN cultural body UNESCO to step in and halt the sale. But such interventions are rare and made only when there is clear evidence of the item's legitimate acquisition by the seller being in dispute. Christie's argued that Egypt had never before expressed the same level of concern about an item whose existence has been "well known and exhibited publicly" for many years. "The object is not, and has not been, the subject of an investigation," Christie's said in a statement to AFP. The auction house has published a chronology of how the relic changed hands between European art dealers over the past 50 years and told AFP that it would "not sell any work where there isn't the clear title of ownership".

Egypt asks Interpol to trace Tutankhamun mask over ownership docs

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Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany elected as first Arab to lead UNESCO as Director-General. Who is he?

Egypt asks Interpol to trace Tutankhamun mask over ownership docs