The election of Egyptian scholar Dr. Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marks a historic milestone in Egypt’s presence on the international stage. It reflects Egypt’s rich cultural and civilizational heritage, enabling it to lead global institutions of human thought. This victory represents the achievement of a distinguished scholar who carried the banner of knowledge and identity, and an international recognition of Egypt’s status as a beacon of science and culture, a center for intercivilizational interaction, and a key pillar in the human dialogue on education, culture, heritage, and peace.

Dr. El-Anany’s election with a large majority of member states’ votes is a natural culmination of Egypt’s long-standing service to human culture and a global acknowledgment of its ability to combine civilizational leadership with intellectual guidance, at a time when the world is witnessing major transformations requiring balanced presence and diplomatic wisdom blending academic expertise with cultural insight and humanitarian vision.

This UN position, held for the first time by an Arab scholar from the heart of Cairo, redraws the contours of Egypt’s role in the global cultural scene, affirming the presence of Egyptian soft power as a bridge linking civilizations and establishing a shared human consciousness. It is a triumph of the Egyptian intellect that combines science, thought, and history, extending its legacy from the roots of ancient civilization to future horizons, where knowledge meets humanity and culture becomes a message of peace and understanding among peoples.

The victory carries profound implications beyond the international post itself, as Egypt’s choice to lead a global organization as significant as UNESCO confirms its prestigious cultural and diplomatic status and acknowledges its historic role in consolidating the values of dialogue and peace and protecting shared human heritage. This achievement is the fruit of a cumulative legacy of solid cultural work and international credibility that Egypt has established over decades of civilizational and humanitarian contributions. Cairo has reached this status thanks to refined diplomacy that combines firmness in principle with flexibility in communication. Dr.

Khaled El-Anany’s victory as the first Arab to hold this position since the organization’s founding carries a deep symbolic dimension, restoring the Arab world’s presence in the circles of international cultural decision-making and making Cairo a new platform to launch a humanistic Arab vision that contributes to redefining education and culture as pillars of peace and development.

UNESCO’s philosophy aligns with the Egyptian cultural vision, which believes that culture is the cornerstone for building global peace, education is the most effective tool for transforming societies and shaping the future, and heritage protection represents the defense of humanity’s memory and shared identity. Egypt has always been a beacon of thought and spirit, a cultural radiance center offering the world lessons in tolerance, diversity, and respect for humanity, having combined throughout the ages intellect and faith, science and belief, history and future.

The heritage created by the pyramids testifies to the genius of the Egyptian people, and the thought produced by Al-Azhar has remained over centuries a guardian of moderation and rationality. The wisdom characterizing Egyptian diplomacy has made its voice a reference for balance and moderation in international forums. All this makes this great event a crowning of Egypt’s civilizational message and proof that it remains the heart of the cultural and spiritual world, pulsating with peace and writing a new chapter in human history with its ancient script.

Dr. Khaled El-Anany’s victory is the culmination of a comprehensive national effort shaped by Egyptian diplomacy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the guidance of wise political leadership that believes culture and education are wings of intellectual national security and that protecting national identity passes through enhancing Egypt’s presence in international institutions of thought and knowledge. In this context, Egyptian cultural diplomacy manifests in its finest form, having become an effective soft power within international institutions, influencing their decisions and directing their paths. Today, Egypt actively contributes to shaping global awareness of humanity and culture from its ancient position as a civilizational bridge between East and West and as a voice of rationality and balance in a world torn by intellectual and political conflicts.

Following Dr. El-Anany’s statements after his election as UNESCO Director-General, a comprehensive civilizational vision emerges, stemming from Egypt’s developmental strategy, which seeks to transform this UN position into an effective platform to reshape the organization’s role in light of rapid global transformations. El-Anany emphasized that education must remain a fundamental and inclusive human right, excluding no one, stressing UNESCO’s responsibility to support countries facing educational crises or conflicts hindering development, restoring education’s status as a locomotive for progress, justice, and equality. He also stressed the necessity of positive engagement with the digital revolution by employing modern technologies to protect both tangible and digital heritage and disseminate knowledge through contemporary means that ensure its reach to new generations, achieving the desired balance between authenticity and renewal, and between human memory and future aspirations.

His vision also embodies the spirit of cultural justice through his commitment to empowering marginalized groups and involving youth, women, and local communities in designing and implementing educational and cultural projects, making human heritage an open field for interaction and participation. The deeper dimension lies in promoting dialogue among civilizations and cultures, based on the belief that human heritage is a shared legacy for all humanity and that protecting this legacy requires building bridges of understanding and coexistence. Thus, under his leadership, Egypt can redefine UNESCO’s role around the concept of civilizational dialogue for peace, contributing to easing international tensions and consolidating values of mutual respect, shared humanity, and sustainable global peace.

Egypt’s leadership of UNESCO truly embodies the features of the modern Egyptian cultural renaissance, a renaissance that understands that global status is built on intellect, science, humanity, and material strength. Egypt, which taught humanity the first alphabets of civilization and gifted the world the philosophy of enlightenment, research, and knowledge, today confirms that culture is the shield of peace, knowledge is the path to justice, and humanity is the ultimate goal of every civilizational project.

This victory recalls the saying of the dean of Arabic literature, Taha Hussein: “Egypt is not a homeland we live in, but a homeland that lives in us.” This phrase encapsulates the spirit of eternal Egyptian belonging. Thus, from the heart of Cairo to the corridors of UNESCO extends an eternal Egyptian message affirming that knowledge coupled with conscience creates civilization, and culture enlightened by faith creates peace. Accordingly, Egypt continues its historic role as a beacon of awareness and a bridge connecting humanity and intellect, proving to the world that its cultural renaissance is a launch toward a future more just, merciful, luminous, and humane.

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Professor of Educational Foundations
Faculty of Education for Girls, Cairo – Al-Azhar University