Khaled El-Enany is an Egyptologist, academic, and global cultural leader currently serving as Director-General of UNESCO, a position he assumed in November 2024. The first Director-General from an Arab country and only the second from Africa, his appointment marks a significant moment for the organization, reflecting a renewed focus on cultural diplomacy, Global South leadership, and multilateral cooperation across education, science, and heritage.

Born in 1971, El-Enany is Professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, where he has taught for over three decades. He earned his PhD from Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University in France and has maintained strong academic ties between Egypt and Europe. Throughout his academic career, he has held key leadership roles, contributing to the development of higher education and the integration of heritage studies with sustainable tourism.

He has directed major cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, leading modernization efforts and expanding public engagement. From 2016 to 2022, he served as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and later Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, where he strengthened heritage protection while aligning it with national development and international collaboration.

El-Enany is actively engaged in global cultural initiatives, serving as Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism for the World Tourism Organization and supporting heritage preservation across Africa.

As Director-General of UNESCO, he leads efforts to safeguard cultural and natural heritage, promote education and scientific cooperation, and foster intercultural dialogue. His vision positions heritage as a strategic resource for resilience, identity, and global solidarity, reinforcing its role in building peace and sustainable development.