In his world tour in the past months to promotoe his candidacy for the Post of Director-General of UNESCO 2025-2029, Professor Khaled El-Enany got the chance to visit Jakarta, Indonesia from May 6-8, before continuing his tour to the Philippines. He has visited 51 countries so far to meet with UNESCO member states partners to build dialogues, listen and learn from them regarding the UNESCO mandates and what challenges the member states face.
Khaled El-Enany comes from Egypt, a land where past civilizations have left their mark, where cultures have met, and where centuries of history remind us of the strength of diversity and the need for humility. It is within this context that his convictions were born. He has learned that peace is not an abstract idea, nor a distant ideal. Driven by a life experience rich in responsibilities and with determination, Khaled El-Enany presents himself as a candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO.
Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, born in 1971, is a leading figure recognized for his expertise and commitment across diverse fields including teaching, scientific research, culture, tourism, management, public service, and international relations. A former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, he currently holds the position of Professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, where he has been a faculty member for over thirty years. His teaching, focused on the civilization, archaeology, and epigraphy of Ancient Egypt, is not only taught in Egypt but also at prestigious international institutions.
As a mentor, he has enabled thousands of students and researchers, both Egyptian and international, to benefit from his in-depth knowledge and vast experience. Through his conferences and scientific engagements across twenty countries, he has shared his expertise, enriched academic discourse and encouraged access to knowledge, while promoting intercultural dialogue. His proficiency in Arabic, French, and English demonstrates his communication skills, a key asset for fostering international cooperation.
In April 2023, the Egyptian Prime Minister announced his candidacy. Since then, he has obtained the endorsement of the African Union in February and July 2024 and that of the League of Arab States in May 2024, and of numerous other countries that have declared their support.
Determined to present an inclusive vision for UNESCO that reflects the full spectrum of global perspectives, Professor El-Enany made more than fifty visits around the world so far, listening and exchanging with people from different backgrounds, including officials, experts in the fields of competence of UNESCO, and civil society.
On April 9, 2025, Professor Khaled El-Enany, candidate for the Post of Director-General of UNESCO, presented his vision to the members of the Organization’s Executive Board and responded to their questions during the official hearing of candidates.
During his short trip in Jakarta, he visited the national cathedral and Istiqlal mosque, meeting with Indonesian government officials and gave general lecture at the Jakarta State University. He will be visiting more countries and meeting with a lot more member states partners before the election of the post in October 2025. If elected, he would be the first UNESCO Director-General from the Arab World. The followings are our conversation with Professor Khaled El-Enany at the residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Yasser Hassan Farah Elshemy.
Understanding UNESCO's Role in Global Crisis Management: How do you plan to leverage UNESCO's mandate in education, culture, science, heritage, and information to address pressing global challenges, such as climate change and conflict resolution?
Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of Indonesia for the warm welcome I received. I hold deep admiration for a country that reflects, in its diversity and dynamism, the very principles UNESCO stands for. This visit reaffirmed for me the importance of international cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.
UNESCO has a unique and irreplaceable role in addressing global crises — not by acting as a humanitarian or security agency, but by investing in the deeper foundations of resilience: education, science, culture, information, and heritage. These are the spaces where long-term solutions take shape — in minds, in knowledge systems, in collective memory.
As the Organization marks its 80th anniversary, I believe this is a time not just for reflection, but for renewal. The world today is undergoing profound geopolitical, environmental, and technological transformations. In this context, UNESCO must evolve to become more agile, more field-oriented, and more responsive to crises. We must rethink how we deliver on our mandate — with more transparency, with greater accountability, and with a clear focus on impact.
If entrusted with this responsibility, I will prioritize stronger coordination across all sectors, faster crisis response mechanisms, and closer collaboration with other UN agencies and local actors. Crisis management must be embedded into the governance of UNESCO — not as a separate track, but as a lens through which we design and implement every programme.
Let me offer a concrete example. In the face of the climate crisis, UNESCO must reaffirm and elevate its role in ocean protection — a core mandate that is often overlooked. Indonesia, with its 17,000 islands and 16% of the world’s coral reefs, is not only on the front line of rising sea levels, but also at the center of global marine biodiversity. The decision to move the capital is a stark reminder of the urgency.
In my view, UNESCO must work more closely with countries like Indonesia and Small Island Developing States — to ensure that they are not only supported, but empowered to lead the way in ocean science, coastal resilience, and education for climate justice. A clear example of this approach is the Pulau Hatamin Project, supported by UNESCO and local partners. Located near Komodo National Park, this initiative has helped regenerate coral reefs damaged by unsustainable practices, while involving local communities — especially youth and fishers — in marine conservation and sustainable ecotourism. Over 62,000 corals have already been transplanted, and fish populations have grown thirtyfold.
This is exactly the kind of initiative we must scale up: rooted in science, driven by communities, and designed for long-term impact. It shows that protecting biodiversity and fighting climate change are not abstract goals — they can bring tangible benefits when they are locally owned and globally supported.
Above all, I advocate for a UNESCO that acts — not only from its headquarters, but wherever the challenges are most urgent. A UNESCO that turns crises into opportunities for meaningful cooperation, in service of people — in Indonesia, and around the world.
Promoting Multilateralism: As a candidate endorsed by the African Union and the League of Arab States, how will you foster greater international cooperation and multilateralism within UNESCO, and what strategies will you employ to ensure the organization's effectiveness in a fragmented world?
As a candidate endorsed by both the African Union and the League of Arab States, I bring with me a deep commitment to multilateralism. But I am not the candidate of any one bloc. I stand for dialogue between regions, for building bridges between cultures, and for cooperation that unites rather than divides. In a fragmented world — where challenges are global but responses are often national — UNESCO must act as a connector.
UNESCO must once again become a true platform for international cooperation, capable of creating connections where others build walls. To do so, we must first rebuild trust — between Member States, between the Secretariat and the field, and between the Organization and the people it serves. I believe in a multilateralism that listens more and imposes less. That is why, as part of my campaign, I have visited more than 45 countries — to meet with you, the Member States. I am especially pleased to be here in Indonesia today to listen and engage directly.
My strategy is based on three priorities: inclusion, impact, and coherence.
First, inclusion. This means widening the circle of decision-making to include voices that are often underrepresented: countries of the South, but also youth, women, civil society, and local actors. More open governance means more legitimate governance.
Second, impact. UNESCO must focus on delivering tangible results. That means strengthening its presence on the ground, streamlining its programmes, and aligning its actions more closely with the real needs of communities.
Third, coherence. We must break down internal silos — across education, culture, science, and communication — and foster collaboration across sectors. At the same time, we must deepen partnerships with other UN agencies to offer more integrated responses to global challenges.
I want UNESCO to be more than a moral voice. I want it to be a driver — of action, of transformation, and of unity. Closer to people, and stronger within the multilateral system.
Cultural Heritage Preservation: Given your background as Former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, how do you plan to prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage sites and promote cultural diversity worldwide, particularly in regions facing significant threats?
Cultural heritage is not simply about preserving monuments; it is fundamentally about dignity, resilience, and peace. Today, nations worldwide—including Egypt, Benin, DR Congo, and Indonesia—are reclaiming their cultural identities through restitution. Your country, notably, has led the way, recovering over 800 objects from colonial-era looting. This is not merely symbolic: it signals a profound shift toward cultural sovereignty.
Yet in regions facing conflict or climate crises, preserving heritage requires more immediate action. UNESCO must significantly strengthen its capacity to intervene swiftly—financially, logistically, and through targeted expertise. Crucially, decision-making should be anchored locally: regional offices need more authority, and local communities should be central, not secondary, in determining what is preserved and how.
Technology must be integrated into this new approach. Not as a substitute for heritage, but as a way to protect, document and share it. Digitization allows us to preserve endangered knowledge, create immersive archives, and connect younger generations to traditions that risk being lost. UNESCO’s upcoming Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects is a promising step — but it should be part of a broader ambition to build digital infrastructure for cultural resilience, especially in vulnerable regions.
Having overseen restorations across diverse religious and historical sites, I've witnessed how heritage destruction devastates communities. My vision for UNESCO is clear: we must move beyond crisis management towards a sustained commitment—preserving not just heritage sites, but the fundamental right of every community to define its place in our shared human story.
Education and Sustainable Development: UNESCO plays a critical role in promoting education for sustainable development. What initiatives would you propose to enhance education's role in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development?
Education lies at the heart of all sustainable transformation. It should not only transmit knowledge, but awaken awareness — to shape global citizens who understand the interconnectedness of our world, who defend peace, and who are equipped to tackle today’s major challenges, from climate change and inequality to the digital divide.
At UNESCO, I will advocate for a more cross-cutting and pragmatic approach to education for sustainable development — one that is rooted in local realities. This means strengthening educational content on climate, biodiversity, oceans and more — not only in school curricula, but also in lifelong learning and teacher training.
I will focus on increasing the impact of education where the needs are greatest: in conflict zones, small island developing states, and areas affected by climate disasters. That includes using digital tools more effectively, investing in teacher capacity, and involving young people more directly in shaping educational content. They must be empowered not just as learners, but as change-makers.
I also want UNESCO to become a real driver of South–South and South–North educational cooperation — by highlighting and scaling up innovative, locally rooted initiatives. Expertise must flow in both directions. Many countries are developing powerful models in environmental education, civic participation, and cultural transmission. These approaches must be supported, shared, and made visible globally.
One example I often refer to is the School of Eco-Diplomacy, developed by the EcoNusa Foundation in Indonesia. It’s a program that trains urban youth to understand ecology and climate issues, to identify local problems, analyze their root causes, and develop ideas for change. This is exactly the kind of initiative I want UNESCO to support, amplify, and expand across regions.
I want UNESCO to be a catalyst for hope — for all those around the world who see education as their only chance. Because a quality, inclusive, and future-oriented education is undoubtedly one of the most powerful tools we have to build a more just, more sustainable, and more peaceful world.
Regional Representation and Inclusion: As a candidate from the African and Arab regions, how will you ensure that UNESCO's programs and initiatives are inclusive and representative of diverse regional perspectives, and what steps will you take to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities?
The endorsements from both the African Union and the League of Arab States deeply honor me—not as an affirmation of any one region, but as a responsibility to represent every UNESCO Member State. The role of Director-General must go beyond national or regional considerations: it must embody a truly global perspective, ensuring fairness and genuine inclusion for all voices, particularly those that have been historically overlooked.
To translate this principle into practice, UNESCO must shift its approach fundamentally, becoming more responsive to realities on the ground. Our field offices, closest to the daily realities and challenges of local communities, must be entrusted with greater authority, autonomy, and the necessary resources. These offices are uniquely positioned to understand the context, mediate tensions, and identify genuine opportunities. Their insights should not merely inform implementation—they must actively shape policy and strategy.
However, true inclusiveness demands more than structural decentralization; it requires a cultural shift in how UNESCO partners with communities. Indigenous peoples, youth organizations, civil society, and academic institutions should not simply be consulted; they must play a defining role from the outset. Throughout my campaign, engaging directly with diverse communities—from France to Sri Lanka, Indonesia to Senegal—has reinforced my conviction that UNESCO’s initiatives will only succeed if local knowledge guides global ambition.
Given the close ties between Egypt and Indonesia in the past decades and the two countries' participation in the Asia Africa Conference in 1955, how would you prioritize some potential areas of cooperation between Egypt and Indonesia?
The Bandung Conference of 1955 symbolizes more than a historic moment between Egypt and Indonesia—it stands for a shared commitment to solidarity and multilateral cooperation that resonates profoundly today. In a world increasingly fractured along geopolitical lines, this spirit of Bandung offers us a model for renewed dialogue, mutual respect, and collective action.
Both Egypt and Indonesia hold significant cultural influence in their respective regions, along with unique expertise in managing heritage preservation, educational reform, and youth empowerment. Leveraging these strengths could significantly contribute to addressing global challenges such as climate resilience, equitable education, and cultural preservation. Initiatives in sustainable tourism, exchanges of best practices in conservation, or joint projects on ocean biodiversity protection represent precisely the type of collaboration UNESCO should encourage and facilitate.
As a candidate endorsed by diverse member states—including from Africa, the Arab world, and beyond—I envision UNESCO not as an arena for bilateral relationships, but as a catalyst for broader interregional collaboration. My responsibility, if entrusted with leading this organization, would be to amplify such successful models of partnership, encouraging all countries, large or small, to build practical cooperation guided by local needs and global aspirations.
