In News:

The Executive Board of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has elected Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany as its new Director-General for a four-year term (2025–2029), succeeding Audrey Azoulay of France. His election marks a significant moment for African and Arab representation within the United Nations system.

About the Election Process

• Nomination: Candidates are nominated by member states and evaluated by UNESCO’s 58-member Executive Board.
• Voting: The Board conducts a secret ballot, requiring an absolute majority to select a nominee.
• Approval: The selected candidate’s name is then forwarded to the General Conference—comprising 194 member states—for formal confirmation.

About the Director-General’s Role

The Director-General serves as the chief executive officer and spokesperson of UNESCO, responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the General Conference and Executive Board.

Key Functions

• Leadership & Administration:
  • Oversees UNESCO’s global programmes across education, culture, science, and communication.
  • Manages the World Heritage Sites framework and educational cooperation initiatives.
• Policy Implementation:Translates strategic resolutions of the General Conference into operational programmes.
• Global Representation:Acts as the face of UNESCO in international diplomacy, fostering partnerships for cultural and educational cooperation.
• Financial Stewardship:Mobilizes funding, particularly important after the U.S. withdrawal, which caused an 8% cut in UNESCO’s annual budget.

About UNESCO

• Founded: 1945
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Membership: 194 member states
• Mandate: To promote peace, education, science, and cultural understanding through international collaboration.

UNESCO’s global initiatives include:

• The World Heritage Convention (1972)
• The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework
• The Man and the Biosphere (MAB)Programme
• Promotion of freedom of expression and media pluralism