Summary
The UNESCO board has nominated Egypt’s Khaled el-Enany to be its next director-general. If confirmed, el-Enany will be the first Arab to lead the organization, which focuses on cultural heritage, science, and education. The decision will be finalized at UNESCO's general assembly in Uzbekistan next month.
Key Facts
- Khaled el-Enany is nominated as the next head of UNESCO by its board.
- El-Enany is a former Egyptian minister and an academic in Egyptology.
- If confirmed, he would be the first Arab director-general of UNESCO.
- The decision will be finalized in a meeting in Uzbekistan.
- El-Enany's main opponents withdrew from the race or were not chosen.
- The current director-general, Audrey Azoulay, has served since 2017.
- UNESCO is facing challenges like an upcoming funding cut due to the US withdrawal in protest over Palestine's membership.
- The organization reported verified damage to cultural sites in the Gaza Strip.
