Khaled El-Enany, Egypt’s candidate for the post of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) director-general, has been appointed as rapporteur of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) due to his expertise and achievements in the field of preserving heritage.
A statement issued by his campaign for the top UNESCO post, a copy of which MENA obtained, said the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates organised on January 13 a ceremony as part of steps taken by Egypt to rally international support for the nomination of El-Enany, a former minister of tourism and antiquities, during which Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaaty delivered a speech before an audience that included 100 ambassadors accredited to Egypt, besides heads of missions and senior representatives of regional and international organisations.
The gathering, which took place at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, a UNESCO project and a venue of great significance to Professor Khaled El-Enany, as it marked the starting point of his public service journey in 2014 as director of the museum.
The event was an occasion to highlight Professor El-Enany’s dedication to values such as education, scientific research, cultural heritage, and the belief that progress begins with people. These principles reflect a broader commitment to fostering open dialogue, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting inclusivity across all communities.
Through his candidacy, Professor El-Enany aspires to bring this vision to UNESCO, emphasising its role as a platform for unity, inspiration, and meaningful change. His vision seeks to reaffirm and advance UNESCO’s mission to serve people and contribute to a better future for all.
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organisation created in 2006 by the African Union and UNESCO to support the effective conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value in Africa.
The main objective of the AWHF is to address the challenges faced by African States Parties in the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, specifically, the underrepresentation of African sites on the World Heritage List and the insufficient conservation and management of these sites.
The Fund became a Category II Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in 2010 hence, an official and privileged partner of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies of the World Heritage Committee (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN). The Fund is hosted by the Government of the Republic of South Africa on behalf of the African continent.
The AWHF maintains a close relationship with the African Union, fostering significant synergies between UNESCO’s Priority Africa and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This is achieved by providing targeted support to African States Parties, with the aim of strengthening the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
