Former Egyptian Minister of Tourism, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, has been elected Director-General of UNESCO, becoming the first Egyptian and Arab to hold the position, the Egyptian presidency announced on Monday.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi congratulated El-Anany on his “landslide victory,” securing 55 out of 57 votes in the UNESCO Executive Board elections.
In a statement, El-Sisi described the win as “a historic achievement that adds to Egypt’s diplomatic and cultural legacy and to the accomplishments of Arab and African nations.” He added that the victory “reflects Egypt’s civilizational stature and the world’s confidence in the competence, knowledge, and dedication of its people.”