Foreign Minister meets Arab Ambassadors at UNESCO to discuss support for Egypt’s Candidate for Director-General

CAIRO – 2 October 2025: Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, met on Thursday with the ambassadors of Arab countries accredited to UNESCO. The meeting was attended by Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s candidate for the position of UNESCO Director-General.

The meeting took place during his visit to Paris, where he is leading Egypt’s delegation to the upcoming meetings of UNESCO’s Executive Council, scheduled for October 6, which will include the election of the organization’s next Director-General.

During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Arab nations to Dr. El-Enany’s candidacy. He underscored the significance of this nomination for both the Arab and African regions, describing it as a reflection of their shared heritage, cultural contributions throughout history, and active roles in fostering dialogue among civilizations.

He also voiced pride in the unanimous endorsement of El-Enany’s candidacy by the League of Arab States, formalized through a resolution adopted at the summit level in May 2024. He noted that this marks the first time a single Arab candidate has garnered such widespread regional support, which he views as a clear recognition of the importance of Arab leadership within UNESCO in the coming period.

The Foreign Minister highlighted El-Enany’s distinguished career and achievements in the fields of culture, heritage, and cultural diplomacy. He also presented Egypt’s broader vision for UNESCO, one that prioritizes the protection of cultural heritage, the dissemination of knowledge, the defense of freedom of expression, and the promotion of intercultural dialogue and peace. He affirmed that the Egyptian candidate is well-qualified to lead the organization in realizing this vision.

For his part, Dr. El-Enany expressed deep gratitude for the continued Arab support since his candidacy was announced in April 2023. He emphasized that UNESCO member states are united by a shared belief in the vital role of culture, education, and science as bridges of understanding between peoples. He reiterated his commitment to translating this belief into practical initiatives that advance dialogue, peace, and sustainable development.

Dr. El-Enany also presented his campaign vision, titled “UNESCO for the Peoples,” which aims to reinforce the organization's global role in addressing current global challenges. He affirmed his dedication to working in a spirit of inclusivity and cooperation with all member states, and to positioning UNESCO as a unifying platform for cultural and intellectual diversity, and as a beacon of peace and mutual understanding.

He further highlighted the efforts of his 30-month campaign, during which he visited over 60 countries and engaged in direct dialogue with representatives from all member states of the Executive Council. He also met with numerous ministers, officials, and cultural figures around the world—efforts that allowed him to present a comprehensive and forward-looking vision for the future of UNESCO.