Paris: In a landmark decision on Monday, UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency, voted to elect a new Director-General, marking a critical juncture for the organization following the United States’ announced withdrawal. The U.S., citing concerns over UNESCO’s support for what it described as “woke, divisive cultural and social causes,” confirmed in July 2025 that it would exit the agency for the second time, effective at the end of 2026. The withdrawal will strip UNESCO of roughly 8% of its funding, posing both financial and diplomatic challenges.
The election saw two prominent candidates vying for the top post: Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and Édouard Firmin Matoko from the Republic of Congo, a career UNESCO official. El-Enany, 54, who launched his campaign in April 2023, emerged as a frontrunner with strong regional support, particularly from African and Arab member states. Egyptian officials highlighted their nation’s millennia-old cultural heritage and administrative experience as key qualifications for leading the agency.
The 58-member UNESCO Executive Board conducted a secret ballot to determine the new Director-General, with the formal appointment set to be ratified at the General Assembly in November. Observers noted that this election is pivotal for UNESCO as it seeks to maintain its global influence and continue its mission of fostering peace, education, science, and cultural preservation despite the impending U.S. departure.
Analysts suggest that the incoming leadership will have to navigate a delicate geopolitical environment, balancing the priorities of member states while ensuring UNESCO remains a credible and effective global platform. The U.S. withdrawal has underscored the agency’s dependence on major funders, prompting calls for reforms in governance, financial sustainability, and programmatic focus.
With the new Director-General poised to take office, UNESCO faces a defining moment: it must reaffirm its role as a neutral arbiter of international cultural and educational initiatives, sustain global cooperation, and adapt to a rapidly changing world order where geopolitical tensions increasingly shape multilateral institutions.