Leadership – UNESCO REF

Khaled El-Enany assumed office as Director-General of UNESCO on 15 November 2025. He is the 12th Director-General of the Organization, the first from an Arab country and the second from Africa to hold this position since Amadou Mahtar Mbow of Senegal. He was elected by UNESCO Member States following a long campaign centered on the vision of “UNESCO for the People.” He served as Minister of Antiquities of Egypt in 2016 and subsequently as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities from 2019 to 2022. During this period, he led complex public administrations, steered national policies and legislative reforms, and strengthened international cooperation in the fields of archaeology, museums, and tourism. Prior to his ministerial appointments, he directed the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the iconic Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Khaled El-Enany is Professor of Egyptology at Helwan University in Egypt, where he has taught for more than thirty years and held academic leadership responsibilities. He holds a PhD in Egyptology from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University in France, where he has also been invited on several occasions as a visiting professor. He is the author of numerous international scholarly publications and has delivered lectures and keynote addresses in more than thirty countries worldwide. A member of several academic institutions, notably the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, Professor El-Enany is an internationally recognized figure for his contributions to academia, heritage, public service, tourism, and international cooperation. His distinctions include being named Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France) in 2015, receiving the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2020, and being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan) in 2021. In 2024, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University and was appointed Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism by UN Tourism, as well as designated Patron of the African World Heritage Fund. In 2025, he received the French insignia of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.

Dr. Khaled El-Enanny

UNESCO Director-General

Dr. Hajo Sani, OON

Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO. France

Dr. Lateef Idowu Olagunju

Secretary General, National Commission for UNESCO, Nigeria

Prince Abdulsalami LADIGBOLU - ORANMIYAN

Prince Abdulsalami LADIGBOLU – ORANMIYAN

President, Read and Earn Federation for UNESCO